Rene Descartes Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy Essay

Rene Descartes Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy - Essay Example He even questions whether at the time of his writing he is truly awake or is indeed in an unceasing dream. In the dream doubt argument, Descartes fears that his present experiences could all turn out to be a huge dream and that in the end senses can be deceitful. He writes, ‘How often, asleep at night, am I convinced of such familiar events – that I am here in my dressing-gown, sitting by the fire – when in fact I am lying undressed in bed... I see that there are never any sure signs by means of which being awake can be distinguished from being asleep’ (Descartes, 1). He thus renders the verdict that the truest source of knowledge of science and life comes not from senses (which are deceitful) but from the mind. He hence holds that the data obtained from senses are not always true and that the only way to obtain reliable knowledge is through strict adherence to reason in all problems/ questions encountered in life (and science). Using dreams as evidence of the flaws in trusting one’s senses, Rene postulates that at the very least, our senses must be test ed and thoroughly examined to ascertain the truth in them. He argues that the possibility of tricking the senses into accepting a false dream world as real denotes that the simulated realities is a common phenomenon and one that mankind should watch out for. In this argument, one could be dreaming at a time of a discovery/ new insight/ belief or the whole of life could be a dream (inexistent). After arguing out the dream doubt, Rene wanders on to the evil genius doubt. Descartes hypothesizes that (since God is infinitely good and incapable of deceit) there is a malicious being (demon), wielding immense power and who is very cunning/ clever, that has gone on in all the aggression it is capable of to seamlessly deceive him (Descartes, 1). He therefore regards the earth and all in it as mere deceptions of an evil demon in order to alter his perception and reason of things. In

Book review Literature Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Book - Literature review Example He cogently makes the analogy that forcing developing countries to participate in free trade before the country is ready is akin to forcing his six year old child to get a job – it is a good short-term policy, in that money will be coming in, but a very poor long-term strategy, as the child’s growth will be stunted and he can never become a brain surgeon if he is forced to leave school at the age of six. His arguments are well-grounded, well-reasoned and difficult to refute. Chang begins by analyzing the developing countries in relationship to neo-liberal policies, and shows how the official history differs from the actual reality. According to Chang, the official history of neo-liberal policies is that these policies, which rely on laissez faire domestic policies, low barriers to the international flowing of goods, labour and capital; and â€Å"macroeconomic stability, both nationally and internationally, guaranteed by principles of sound money and balanced budgets† (Chang, 2008, p. 22) were adopted by developing and Third World countries in the 1980s, which led to the fall of communism in 1989, global economic integration, and a new â€Å"golden age of liberalism† (Chang, 2008, p. 23). Not included in this official history of neo-liberalism is any hint of coercion, nor any suggestion that these policies were not good for these developing countries. Chang contrasts this official story with what he calls â€Å"the real history of globalization† (Chang, 2008, p. 24). According to Chang, the real history is far different from the official story of globalism. The real history involves considerable coercion on the part of the neo-liberal countries, who are led by Great Britain and the United States. For instance, Britain, in the 1840s, used its might around the world to force weaker countries to accept low tariffs, while they themselves set their own tariffs high (Chang, 2008, p. 25). The coercion on these countries continue as the World Bank lends