Cartesian doubt
Cartesian doubt is a form of methodological skepticism associated with the writings and methodology of René Descartes (March 31, 1596–February 11, 1650). Cartesian doubt is also known as Cartesian skepticism, methodic doubt, methodological skepticism, universal doubt, systematic doubt, or hyperbolic doubt.
Cartesian doubt is a systematic process of being skeptical about (or doubting) the truth of one’s beliefs, which has become a characteristic method in philosophy. Additionally, Descartes’ method has been seen by many as the root of the modern scientific method. This method of doubt was largely popularized in Western philosophy by René Descartes, who sought to doubt the truth of all beliefs in order to determine which he could be certain were true. It is the basis for Descartes’ statement, “Cogito ergo sum” (I think, therefore I am). A fuller version of his phrase: “dubito ergo cogito, cogito ergo sum” translates to “I doubt therefore I think, I think therefore I exist.” Sum translated as “I exist” (per various Latin to English dictionaries) presents a much larger and clearer meaning to the phrase.
Methodological skepticism is distinguished from philosophical skepticism in that methodological skepticism is an approach that subjects all knowledge claims to scrutiny with the goal of sorting out true from false claims, whereas philosophical skepticism is an approach that questions the possibility of certain knowledge.
Methodological skepticism is a philosophical and scientific approach of systematic doubt to discover what can be known for certain. It involves questioning all beliefs—even those seemingly obvious—to find a foundation of truth that can withstand scrutiny, most famously exemplified by René Descartes’ conclusion “I think therefore I am”. Rather than being a permanent state of doubt, it is a tool to test beliefs and discard falsehoods to build more reliable knowledge.
How it works
- Systematic doubt: Doubt everything that can possibly be doubted, including sensory experiences, pre-conceived notions, and even mathematical truths.
- Goal of certainty: Use doubt as a tool to find what is indubitable—a truth that cannot be denied. For Descartes, this was the certainty of one’s own existence as a thinking being.
- Build upon a foundation: Once a certain truth is found, use it as a solid base from which to reconstruct other beliefs and knowledge.
- Practical application: This method encourages critical thinking, careful reasoning, and the examination of evidence before accepting conclusions, which is vital in both philosophy and science.
Key distinctions
- Not absolute skepticism: Methodological skepticism does not aim to conclude that knowledge is impossible, but rather to find a firm foundation for knowledge.
- A tool, not an end: The point is not to doubt forever, but to use doubt as a temporary and strategic tool to test beliefs, like an interrogator questioning everything to find the truth.
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[1] https://fiveable.me/key-terms/intro-philosophy/methodological-skepticism
[2] https://fiveable.me/key-terms/history-science/methodological-skepticism
[6] https://logos.philosophy.cornell.edu/2021/04/23/a-skeptic-in-search-of-belief/
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