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What Is Rene Descartes Dream Argument

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Descartes introduces a "Method of Doubt" that allows him to systematically doubts structures of knowledge. To understand the dream argument, you need to understand its function in Descartes's argument. Within mediation one on his Mediations on First Philosophy Descartes establishes many areas in which he can call into doubt his existence and experiences. One of the arguments where he begins his questioning is the dream argument. In the dream argument he presents evidence in order to support his claim that one can never establish if they are actually dreaming or are awake. The first thing he does is doubted what the senses give us. However, Descartes pushes his doubting one step further by doubting whether we are actually awake. In the dream argument Descartes is saying that he often experiences the sensations of dreaming while he is awake. From reflecting on this he comes to the conclusion that if he can falsely perceive himself to be awake while he is dreaming then he can falsely believe he is dreaming while he is awake. So, he can never actually know when he is awake or dreaming (Windt). Since there are no signs to actively distinguish the state of dreaming from that of being awake he does …show more content…

When dreaming the things that are experienced are significantly different from the experiences one has when awake. For example, when in a dream one can only observe the events that are taking place, in a dream one has no control over what happens. Also, when dreaming one cannot feel bodily sensations, such as pain or pressure (Springett). So, this serves as a way to distinguish between being awake or asleep. In response Descartes would say that there are experiences of dreaming that directly mimic the experience of being awake. In this he would be correct there are instances and dreams that seem exactly the same as those of being awake, and there are few things that signify the difference until once actually

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