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Descartes revolutionized philosophy with his method of doubt from "summary" of The Philosophy Book by DK
Descartes made a significant impact on the field of philosophy by introducing his method of doubt. This method involved systematically doubting everything that could be doubted in order to arrive at certain knowledge. Descartes believed that many of the beliefs held by individuals were not based on sound reasoning, but rather on tradition or authority. By subjecting all beliefs to doubt, Descartes aimed to establish a foundation of knowledge that was indubitable. Descartes' method of doubt began with the rejection of sensory perception as a reliable source of knowledge. He argued that our senses can deceive us, leading us to believe in things that are not actually true. For example, optical illusions demonstrate how our senses can be fooled into perceiving something that does not actually exist. By doubting the reliability of our senses, Descartes called into question the validity of much of what we believe to be true. Descartes also extended his method of doubt to include skepticism about the existence of the external world. He proposed the idea of an evil demon who could deceive us into believing that the external world exists when, in reality, it does not. This radical skepticism challenged the very foundations of knowledge, leaving Descartes to search for a more secure basis upon which to build his philosophical system. Ultimately, Descartes concluded that the one thing he could not doubt was his own existence. In his famous phrase, "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am), Descartes asserted that even if he were being deceived by an evil demon, he must exist in order to be deceived. This realization became the foundation upon which Descartes would rebuild his system of knowledge, starting from this indubitable foundation and working his way towards a more comprehensive understanding of the world. Descartes' method of doubt revolutionized philosophy by challenging the traditional sources of knowledge and establishing a new method for arriving at certain truths. By subjecting all beliefs to doubt and beginning with the certainty of his own existence, Descartes laid the groundwork for a more rigorous and systematic approach to philosophy. His emphasis on reason and skepticism continues to influence philosophical inquiry to this day, making Descartes a pivotal figure in the history of philosophy.
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