DesCartes - very conservative
-if you are ultra conservative in
your beliefs, you won't end up with
false beliefs.
-restrict beliefs to what is absolutely
certain ("clear and distinct")
-if you are certain of all the
steps, the conclusion will be certain
-withhold judgment if you are uncertain

Two Goals with Regard to Belief
1. Believing as many true things as
possible
2. Avoiding believing as many false
statements as possible (the ultra
conservative will dwell on #2)

CONSERVATIVE
-hinder progress-progress
in any field requires
speculation
-miss out on the benefit
of some true beliefs:
religious faith,
cryonics, new medical
treatment
-needs to live life based
upon your present beliefs

LIBERAL
-one can be "scammed"
-paralysis from too many conflicting
beliefs

DesCartes view on Rationalism
-knowledge comes from reason (not the
senses)
-intuition and deduction
-all philosophical truths can be proved
through priori deduction
(DesCartes ideas were all developed within the confines of his own home)

LOCKE, JOHN
-1704 Essay Concerning Human Understanding
-Empiricism-knowledge comes primarily thru
the senses. Reason plays a secondary role
-Attack on Innate ideas (ideas, concepts
beliefs you are born with)
Innate, Human:
-morality/value judgments
-belief in the mind/soul
-God
-Conscience
-Basic logical beliefs:
contradictions cannot be true

1. Mentally retarded ("idiots") and
children do not have them