Scepticism, Freedom and Autonomy: A Study of the Moral Foundations of Descartes' Theory of Knowledge

Marcelo de Araujo

Published by De Gruyter 2003

Scepticism, Freedom and Autonomy

A Study of the Moral Foundations of Descartes' Theory of Knowledge

Marcelo de Araujo

Volume 58 in the series Quellen und Studien zur Philosophie

https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110910957

Overview
Contents

About this book

How much does what we think depend on what we want? Descartes' much-discussed position has often been interpreted to mean that we hold an opinion as the result of a decision. In Scepticism, Freedom and Autonomy, Araujo argues against this interpretation, asserting that we retain control over our opinions only through selective attention. Even for this limited control, however, Cartesian Scepticism implies the possibility of self-delusion, symbolized in the writings of Descartes by the figure of the evil god. Hence, the existence of an evil god would not only cast doubt on our claims to knowledge but also jeopardize our freedom.

In this new interpretation, the Cartesian Scepticism, which is usually ascribed only epistemic significance, proves relevant for a fundamental moral question, that of human autonomy in general.

Author / Editor information

Marcelo de Araujo is a university lecturer on philosophy at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro.

Topics

Frontmatter Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	i
Acknowledgements Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	vii
Contents Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	ix
INTRODUCTION Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
CHAPTER ONE. DESCARTES’ THEORY OF JUDGEMENT Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	8
CHAPTER TWO. TWO CONCEPTS OF FREEDOM Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	37
CHAPTER THREE. SELF-DECEPTION AS A MENTAL STATE Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	73
CHAPTER FOUR. FREEDOM, AUTONOMY, AND SCEPTICISM Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	103
CHAPTER FIVE. THE SCIENCE OF GOOD LIVING Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	131
CHAPTER SIX. DESCARTES ON VIRTUE ETHICS Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	163
CONCLUSION Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	204
BIBLIOGRAPHY Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	207
Index Nominum Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	235

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: De Gruyter
Edition: Reprint 2012
Pages
- Main content: 237
Illustrations
- Illustrations: 2
- Tables: 8
Keywords: Moralphilosophie; Descartes, René; Erkenntnistheorie

eBook

Published: October 24, 2012
ISBN: 9783110910957

Hardcover

Published: December 13, 2002
ISBN: 9783110175387