The Question of Certainty
We are living in a world where there are various theories, views and opinions about many different issues. These theories, views and opinions are changing, as everyday new scientific discoveries are made and new theories conducted. Consequently, our knowledge and what we know for certain, or in other words what we think that we know for certain today might change tomorrow. This raises the question whether there is anything certain and what we can know with certainty. Some philosophers have searched for the answer of this question. Descartes and Hume are among them who are concerned with the problem of certainty. Both Descartes and Hume have tried to find a basis for certain knowledge. However, they differ from each other in their point of view on the foundation of this certain knowledge.Descartes' aim is to find out a system of thought, which will be the foundation of the principles of absolute certainty. Descartes starts with rejecting any idea as certain and he tries to discover the basis of certainty. Descartes uses the method of doubting in order to find principles, which cannot be doubted. He starts doubting every item of knowledge he previously believed in order to arrive at certain knowledge,
In addition, Descartes believes that he has to prove that God exists and that he is not a deceiver in order to guarantee the certainty of our clear and distinct ideas. For example, to feel pain is impression and knowing the sensation of pain is an idea. Hume suggests that this knowledge cannot be a priori because he can deny that the second billiard ball will move without contradiction. Innate ideas are belong to us and they are inside of us. His purpose is to find indubitable truth and build up his knowledge on this certain truth. At this point, he states his basic foundation: "I am, therefore I exist". Therefore, his essence is a thinking being that exists. This knowledge is far from certain, for it is based on our perceptions only and is not demonstrably true. He investigates his different ideas and he discovers that his ideas differ from each other in their content and cause. For instance, the sun will rise tomorrow. However, Descartes cannot prove God's existence by using the same method because only matters in the external world or physical objects are subject to doubt. To illustrate, he gives the example of a wax melted by fire. Also, we cannot rely on this principle, because we have not yet experienced future. From Descartes point of view, from the proof of his existence and God's existence, he can believe that physical things exist. Descartes concludes that while doubting, the only thing he cannot doubt is that he is doubting.
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