René Descartes?

Question

I had a Philosophy class with some people, and they had the nerve to insult Descartes. Referring to him as "useless" and "lazy" or that "he had too much time on his hands". I don't believe these things. Do you? What should I do? Punch in them mouth or try to reason with them? lol. :P

Dukalink, you didn't answer the questions.

nonplustwo I don't care if you answer the question or not. I don't understand why you care about points either.

in order to sucker punch them. I would first have to establish that I exist. Then process to prove the existance of an all-powerful and benevolent deity. Next, I must proceed to prove I exist as a thinking individual. Then, I must prove my hand is real, and use it to punch the person. Finally, doubt whether I actually punched them.

I can already tell there will be some very good answers. :) Sorry about all the added details.

Answer 1

Contempt for Descartes stems from a failure to distinguish between the way of knowing and the way of being. On one level (the way of knowing), Descartes could doubt everything except for his existence as res cogitans and the existence of God. But with respect to the way of living, Descartes conducted his life as we all do.

Doubt becomes methodic in Descartes. As Peter Abelard argued, "Doubt leads to inquiry, inquiry leads to truth." Understanding these points should ameliorate contempt that some may feel for the father of modern philosophy.

Answer 2

I'd say punch them in the face. :) In a controlled Philosophy class, simply ask them what they mean and why they think of Descartes this way. The exchange of ideas shouldn't serve to convince or confirm anyone's beliefs, but to enlighten each other and grow from it. That's what Descartes wanted, anyway. He said himself: how can I be sure that punching in the face even exists?

Answer 3

I got chills when I read the chapter that leads up to "I think therefore I am". But it was a long time ago, and I don't remember Descartes' core philisophical beliefs. I say, if Descart would sucker punch them, then you should too.

Answer 4

Rene Descartes was a drunken fart

The Philosphers song

Immanuel Kant was a real pissant
who was very rarely stable.
Heidegger, Heidegger was a boozy beggar
who could think you under the table.
David Hume could out consume
Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel,
And Wittgenstein was a beery swine
who was just as sloshed as Schlegel.

There's nothing Nietzsche couldn't teach ya
'bout the raisin' of the wrist.
Socrates himself was permanently pissed.

John Stuart Mill, of his own free will,
after half a pint of shandy was particularly ill.
Plato, they say, could stick it away,
'alf a crate of whiskey every day!
Aristotle, Aristotle was a bugger for the bottle,
and Hobbes was fond of his Dram.
And Rene Descartes was a drunken fart:
"I drink, therefore I am."

Yes, Socrates himself is particularly missed;
A lovely little thinker, but a bugger when he's pissed.



ALSO

From the Rhubarb Tart Song

The principles of modern philosophy
Were postulated by Descartes.
Discarding everything he wasn't certain of
He said 'I think therefore I am a rhubarb tart.'
A rhubarb what? A rhubarb tart!
A Rene who? Rene Descartes!
Poor nut he thought he was a rhubarb tart!

Answer 5

Don't try to sell them something they don't want to buy. Some people simplify to a negative state in mind because that is the first innately primeval human condition. They have no essential good, are unable to hold any idea, ethic, think perfection is possible (whatever that is) in inperfectability. Strange negative forms of Candide; rather than this is the best of all possible worlds, things could not be worse, but of course that is impossible to believe.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candide

Answer 6

everyone interprites things different yet philosophy is many mystery few to actknowledge....many wars have been based within societys prayers consitered philosphy yet this philosophy
preference sometimes indicates theres a creator not a god
...so what ever tension resolves within this undomesticated area of understanding leave to the basis okay possibley i agree & not much further just find a new friend with the same belief

Answer 7

Hello. Young, Skywalker Philosopher, I would hate to be you in quest for the truth of Descartes of charactersitics of his worthiness as a Philosopher because he was neither of those characteristics were him at all ,for, you, see young jedi, he had health problems in his youth and it lasted throughout his adult life so he stayed in bed untill 11:00 a.m. everyday , but he did set away times for studies everyday creating science today and I would dressup as a swordmans, since, he was an excelllent swordsman and was considered to be a interesting " forth musketeer" who was when drunk, for ,he was a drinker ,and the fearlessness of philosophy of " the Art of Fencing " would scare them to the Queen, which the book outline fencing strageties is no longer available today. Knowledge is Power so fence them with your knowledge as it slaps them in the face as reasonable jedi's sword can. Eyes of the Philosopher..Rocky..

" I think, therefore, I am thinking that of what I am, therefore, I am not of what you think" -ajs-Copyrighted 2006.

Answer 8

Descartes was a brilliant man, both scientist and philospher. Which was even more impressive considering he did this in spite of the constraints of living in clerical fascist europe.
Just ignore your simpleminded little moron classmates, they are likely well suited for their mindless careers in the hospitality industy.

Answer 9

He's the father of modern philosophy, mathematics, and a leading thinker in the scientific revolution, and one of the most influential thinkers of modern times. How can someone insult him again?

Answer 10

some people think about Hemmingway as drunk and looser too, it does not mean they are right. Most of those who are talking bad about Mr. Descartes probably don't know who you are reffering to