Ideas from 'Reply to Sixth Objections' by René Descartes [1641], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Philosophical Essays and Correspondence' by Descartes,René (ed/tr Ariew,Roger) [Hackett 2000,0-87220-502-9]].

green numbers give full details    |     back to texts     |     unexpand these ideas

---

7. Existence / C. Structure of Existence / 5. Supervenience / c. Significance of supervenience

3644	Two things being joined together doesn't prove they are the same

			Full Idea: The fact that we often see two things joined together does not license the inference that they are one and the same.
			From: René Descartes (Reply to Sixth Objections [1641], 444)
			A reaction: Correct. The problem comes when they are never ever apart, and you begin to suspect that they are conjoined in all possible worlds. Why might this be so? It can only be identity or a causal link.

13. Knowledge Criteria / D. Scepticism / 3. Illusion Scepticism

3621	Only judgement decides which of our senses are reliable

			Full Idea: Sense alone does not suffice to correct visual error: we also need a degree of reason to tell us that we should believe the judgement based on touch rather than vision. Since we don't have this power in infancy, it must be attributed to the intellect.
			From: René Descartes (Reply to Sixth Objections [1641], 439)

28. God / A. Divine Nature / 6. Divine Morality / d. God decrees morality

3637	Ideas in God's mind only have value if he makes it so

			Full Idea: It is impossible to imagine that anything is thought of in the divine intellect as good or true, or worthy of belief or action or omission, prior to the decision of the divine will to make it so.
			From: René Descartes (Reply to Sixth Objections [1641], 432)