Philosophy and Knowledge: Rene Descartes Objection and Replies

In Descartes Objection and Replies the idea of knowledge, how it is gained and defined, and the idea of true intellect are discussed. Through the use of the wax experiment true intellect is found, defined, and explained. With this being said he wanted to demonstrate how none of the truths we found through basic perceptive tools or senses can be relied upon and that you had to utilize deep though or knowledge to know how something is defined or even if it exists.

The reasoning behind the investigation of the wax in the second meditation is that the wax serves as an analogy of our perception on life and what we assume is truth. Descartes believed that many or even most of the truths we know could in fact be an illusion. This means that our truths may in fact be imagined, or be a result of a manipulation. Through the use of the wax it is shown to change and correct the way in which we know whether a truths is wrong or right.

What Descartes is trying to prove is that what we see or believe could be in fact a manipulation meaning it may not exist. This is done to force the reader to challenge all their beliefs and assumed truths. This makes them then realize the truth through more of a knowledge-based view then an adopted view.

Descartes is trying to prove is that there is a pure intellect, which is a theoretical entity which defines what an object is, that relies on sole knowledge alone to acquire it. You can’t find it or understand it through basic instincts, senses, or the simple ways most use. They can lead you to the wrong answer or reasoning. To have the access your real ability of intelligence to get the right answer, or in this case know that the wax is really wax and that it is even real. Descartes does not just want pe...

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...The reason being is that the only way you were able to find this out is through the use of pure intellect, or pure knowledge. The main realization of this experiment is the realization that you are real.

Descartes pointed out was that the most important reason you know you have the knowledge of the wax’s existence is that you know yourself. The better one knows themselves the better they are able to understand whether or not it is a false and created idea, or truth and reality. This was the true answer to the experiment because any knowledge you gain would not be valid unless you were certain it was true. Through the assurance of knowing self and therefore knowing your answer is true is crucial to know whether you answer is even acceptable.

Works Cited

Descartes, René. Descartes: selected philosophical writings. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988. Print.