In Descartes search for knowledge he starts with a clean slate. He rids himself of what he thinks he knows and starts again to build up his knowledge by ridding himself of the “falsehoods” he once believed in. He describes himself sitting by the fire alone with a clear mind of all worries and cares so he can destroy his previous opinions. Descartes claims that if he kind find a reason to doubt his present opinions and foundations then he should seek a more solid foundation for his knowledge.
Descartes acknowledges that some senses can be deceiving. Especially for objects that appear small or far away. Contrary to that he also acknowledges that at times he is sensing real objects and that is why he continues searching. He says “For example, there is the fact that I am here, seated by the fire, attired in a dressing gown, having this paper in my hands and other similar matters.” Which confirms the fact that these are real time occurrences of the senses. Concluding that although he can place doubt on artificial objects, he can’t do the same for simple universal parts such as shapes, size, quantity and time.
He then gets deeper into deception when he brings up God and mathematics. He describes the goodness of God and the ideal of whether or not God would lead him to believe in any falsehoods of any kind. And if He did that would it be the greatest level of deception because our picture of a “perfect God” would be skewed. So he concludes that deception is not God’s doing but that of an evil demon. Descartes claims this evil demon has committed himself to deceiving him so in order to not be mislead he must doubt everything. He must double check and not take anything for face value because he believes that is the power that he can control. He says “I may at least do what is in my power [i.e. suspend my judgment], and with firm purpose avoid giving credence to any false thing, or being imposed upon by this arch deceiver, however powerful and deceptive he may be.” He uses the dream example to establish that he does exist. “I think therefore I am”
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Rhythmically Unique 