PHIL 111: Introduction to Philosophy

LARKIN: Spring 2003

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DATE: 2-20-03

I. Objectives

A. Understand the Cogito, Res Cogitans, and Wax arguments of Descartes’ Meditation Two.

B. Critically discuss Descartes’ notion of a person.

II. Discussion:

What are you? What kind of thing are you?

III. Lecture:

A. The Cogito Argument

B. The Res Cogitans Argument

C. The Wax Argument

IV. Discussion:

What is the point of the wax argument?

V. Next Time

A. Topic: Arguments for the Existence of God

B. Reading: Descartes, “Meditation Three”

C. Reading Questions: See NEXT Lecture Skeleton