I. Intro.
II. Sources of knowledge and certainty
A. Authority
B. Experience
C. Reason
III. Problems with authority in the 17th century
IV. Sir Francis Bacon (Scientific Method)
A. Background
B. Basic method
C. Division of knowledge into fields/subfields
D. Idols to avoid
1. Tribe--limitations
as human beings
2. Cave (Den)--prejudice
as a result of our own previous experiences
3. Marketplace--language
(the means of exchange) occasionally misleading
4. Theater--great
philosophic systems blind us to exceptions/possible alternatives
E. Application of method
F. The real importance of Bacon
G. Weaknesses of Bacon's method
V. Descartes
A. Background
B. Unhappiness w/traditional studies
C. Descartes' method (Discourse on
Method)
1. Doubt everything
that can be doubted
2. Divide big problem
into smaller parts
3. Move in an orderly
way from simple to complex
4. Make sure nothing
is left out (make proof rigorous)
D. Provisional rules
1. Obey laws/customs
of country
2. Be resolute
3. Change self
rather than society
4. Choose best
occupation
E. Application of method to metaphysics
F. Application of method to physical world
G. Return to metaphysics (Meditations)
1. Modifications
of traditional proofs of the existence of God
a. First cause argument
b. Argument from design
c. Ontological argument
H. Weaknesses in Descartes' method