Philosophy 1050-024 Spring 2008                                                                   NAME:

Introduction to Philosophy

Reading Questionnaire #8

Due: TUESDAY, March 25

Rene Descartes: Meditations on First Philosophy, Meditation Three (pp. 69-81)

Please answer each question in 2-4 sentences.

1. At the beginning of the third Meditation, what does Descartes know exists "within him," even though he has doubted everything "outside" himself? 

2. At the end of the third Meditation, Descartes argues that "it would be impossible for me to exist, being of such a nature as I am (namely, having in me the idea of God), unless God did in fact exist."  (p. 80).   Why does he think so?