Philosophy 272: Handout D2

I. Clear and Distinct Argument: (Paragraph ii)

(1) I am certain I am a thinking thing.
(2) If I could perceive anything as clearly and distinctly as "I am a thinking thing" and it still be false, then I could not be certain I am a thinking thing.
(3) Thus, I cannot perceive anything so clearly and distinctly as "I am a thinking thing" and it still be false.
(4) Thus, everything I perceive clearly and distinctly is true.

II. Descartes' Cosmological Argument: (Paragraphs--xiv-xxviii)

(1) The cause of an idea must have as much formal reality as the idea contains objective reality. [Para xiv]
(2) Only a perfect God has as much formal reality as my idea of God contains objective reality. [Para xxii]
(3) The cause of my idea of God is a perfect God. [Para xxvii]
(4) If the cause of my idea is a perfect God, then God exists.
(5) God exists.

III. Premise 1 Argument: (Paragraphs xiv-xv)

(1) There must be at least as much reality in the cause as there is in the effect that results from the cause.
(2) The objective reality of an idea must have a cause
(3) This cause must be the formal reality of something.
(4) The cause of an idea must have as much formal reality as the idea contains objective reality.