Anthony Grayling, author of a recent biography of René Descartes, explores Descartes' Cogito argument, the pivotal argument of the Meditations, in conversation with Nigel Warburton in this episode of Philosophy Bites.
Listen to A.C. Grayling on Descartes' Cogito Argument
Read Simon Blackburn's review of Grayling's biography of Descartes
i found it very interesting and informing to listen to the talk with mr. Grayling. it made the work of Descartes alot clearer to me! thank you
Posted by: claudia | June 02, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Look, the Cogito is a very confusing proposition. Is it an argument? Probably. It's not in sound sylllogistic form, but it is asserting something; it's making a claim. Is it analytic? Is it synthetic? If analytic, this implies more than simply the concept of 'thought' can be reduced to get to 'existence'. Instead, what is implied is that there is something substantive within this 'thought' concept - despite Descartes' investigation supposedly starting from emptiness. This gives Descartes' rationalist method a very mysterious edge. If synthetic, the experience of 'thought' is allowed for, but what are we to make of my sensory experiences being deceived by the Evil Demon? Whatever happens, the Cogito is far from a clear firm foothold of certainty.
Posted by: Chris Lynch | November 29, 2011 at 10:32 AM