Single Idea 3621

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / D. Scepticism / 3. Illusion Scepticism]

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.

Gist of Idea

Only judgement decides which of our senses are reliable

Source

René Descartes (Reply to Sixth Objections [1641], 439)

Book Reference

Descartes,René: 'Meditations on First Philosophy etc.', ed/tr. Cottingham,John [CUP 1986], p.65