Weak points of R.Descartes philosophy

dusio · 11-24-2007, 09:26 PM

Do you see any weak points of R. Descartes philosophy? I just wonder...

brionon · 11-25-2007, 10:18 AM

Apart from the fact that he thought that Animals ,having no souls, can feel no pain and was amazed that,when tortured ,they could pretend pain. Do you mean ?

dusio · 11-25-2007, 07:53 PM

Well, it's not what I was asking for. Let's focus on his philosophical point of view only, not his quite stupid thoughts about everything connected with res extensa

The_FD · 11-26-2007, 12:59 PM

Of course there are weak points in Descartes' philosophy. Every philosophy has its weak points... perfection has not been reach yet, and I am not sure it can be reached someday.

There is no doubt the scientific method in the "Discours de la méthode (1637)" is of critical interest regarding the modern sciences, however the whole philosophy from this "thinking being" (

) is far more than just this.

One of his weakest point, in my opinion, is to categorize everything. Most of the time his categories are exclusive or based on a single point analysis. The advantage is that you can solve problems separately and then add the solutions to reach a global solution. However this method makes the people who use it face the problem in a given manner that is not necessarily the best way to come over. In other words, there are cases in which the "Descartes method" hides the solution due to the way in which the method introduces the problem. Another analysis that would generally be more global and avoid exclusive categories or avoid any categorization at all would be of great help.

As I said each method has its imperfections, there is no best one, there is simply the most fit to the situation

Hope you'll understand what I meant

Lina · 11-26-2007, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_FD

One of his weakest point, in my opinion, is to categorize everything.

Aristotle also categorized everything... and his categorization is still used from the IVth century B.C....

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_FD

In other words, there are cases in which the "Descartes method" hides the solution due to the way in which the method introduces the problem. Another analysis that would generally be more global and avoid exclusive categories or avoid any categorization at all would be of great help.

That's interesting ; could you give an example if you have one in mind ? This is not a trap ; I'd just like to have an example.

The_FD · 11-26-2007, 03:40 PM

Ok, I'll try to give you an example of what I meant. I need to think about something rather simple first and to do a drawing to make you better understand. The situation is often met in autoregulated physiological systems that are looped. They cannot be separated into several pieces or categories as would probably have done our dear Descartes since each step depends and is dependent on the next one.

ps: Is it ok if my example concerns electric devices and their links?

Lina · 11-26-2007, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_FD

ps: Is it ok if my example concerns electric devices and their links?

It'll be fine : I'm a poor student in literature, but, usually, I can understand scientific matters when they are explained to me.

11-24-2007, 09:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
dusio Only death is certain... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: I live in Poland Posts: 847 dusio is learning to walk	Weak points of R.Descartes philosophy Do you see any weak points of R. Descartes philosophy? I just wonder...
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11-25-2007, 10:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
brionon Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 39 brionon is an unknown character at this point	Apart from the fact that he thought that Animals ,having no souls, can feel no pain and was amazed that,when tortured ,they could pretend pain. Do you mean ?
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11-25-2007, 07:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
dusio Only death is certain... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: I live in Poland Posts: 847 dusio is learning to walk	... Well, it's not what I was asking for. Let's focus on his philosophical point of view only, not his quite stupid thoughts about everything connected with res extensa
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11-26-2007, 12:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
The_FD flying dancer Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Paris France Posts: 4,239 The_FD is a splendid one to behold The_FD is a splendid one to behold The_FD is a splendid one to behold	Of course there are weak points in Descartes' philosophy. Every philosophy has its weak points... perfection has not been reach yet, and I am not sure it can be reached someday. There is no doubt the scientific method in the "Discours de la méthode (1637)" is of critical interest regarding the modern sciences, however the whole philosophy from this "thinking being" () is far more than just this. One of his weakest point, in my opinion, is to categorize everything. Most of the time his categories are exclusive or based on a single point analysis. The advantage is that you can solve problems separately and then add the solutions to reach a global solution. However this method makes the people who use it face the problem in a given manner that is not necessarily the best way to come over. In other words, there are cases in which the "Descartes method" hides the solution due to the way in which the method introduces the problem. Another analysis that would generally be more global and avoid exclusive categories or avoid any categorization at all would be of great help. As I said each method has its imperfections, there is no best one, there is simply the most fit to the situation Hope you'll understand what I meant __________________ L'histoire de la famille Bourdillon Les fêtes d'Hébé The flying dancer dancing
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11-26-2007, 03:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
The_FD flying dancer Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Paris France Posts: 4,239 The_FD is a splendid one to behold The_FD is a splendid one to behold The_FD is a splendid one to behold	Ok, I'll try to give you an example of what I meant. I need to think about something rather simple first and to do a drawing to make you better understand. The situation is often met in autoregulated physiological systems that are looped. They cannot be separated into several pieces or categories as would probably have done our dear Descartes since each step depends and is dependent on the next one. ps: Is it ok if my example concerns electric devices and their links? __________________ L'histoire de la famille Bourdillon Les fêtes d'Hébé The flying dancer dancing
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