The Fifth Replies of Descartes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Fifth Replies of Descartes - Essay Example The Fifth Replies of Descartes The argument in question is the argument of Discourse. The problem with this counter argument is the inherent bias. There is a premise and theres a conclusion if one accepts the premise the conclusion must be accepted. Renà ©e Descartes says that he knows he exists it is inherent that he knows what he is and what his nature is, it is the very definition of establishing his existence. This knowledge (of existing) cannot be separated from the knowledge of what that existence is about. This point can be elaborated through an example for instance one sees a bottle of water. His eyes tell him that it is there. Since this person has the premise that what his eyes see is in fact real (or existing) it means that he knows that the bottle exists. When he say that it exists it means it has certain properties that indicate that it exists. No one can say that something exists without acknowledging the properties. Existence without the knowledge of its properties is even more illogical than deriving a conclusion that existence of self also encompasses the nature of self. When Renà © Descartes say that he thinks therefore he exists, it means that he is aware of what he is and what his nature is. Otherwise there is no existence. Every existence has its properties; be it divine authority like God or as trivial as a plastic water bottle. The objection of Descartes’s claim rests with the understanding of premise. If the critics accept the premise when Renà ©e says that something exists, he also bases this by understanding some properties.