Method of Doubt by Descartes

Method of Doubt by Descartes Renà © Descartes, the father of modern philosophy, adopted the method of doubt to reach the truth. Descartes philosophical attitude started in his youth when he realized that he had been accepting many false opinions for true. He wanted to get rid of all the opinions that he had accumulated over the years. Descartes wanted to build a foundation on which all further intellectual enquiries could be built. He felt reason should follow and arrive at certain philosophical truths. There should be no further doubts left after this, which meant that the foundation had to be sound. This approach was known as the Method of Doubt but his rationale and approach has been a subject of controversy for years. He believed never to accept anything as the truth, which he could not accept as obviously true. Everything should be so clearly presented to the mind that there are no doubts left at all. Anything that can be doubted has to be rejected. Reasons to believe something should be ample. The second step is to divide the subject into as many divisions as possible or whatever would help him to understand it better. The third step involved directing his thoughts, taking one step at a time, to reach the underlying complex knowledge. At the end of this, his reviews were so comprehensive, his enumerations so complete, that nothing was left to doubt. The three steps adopted by Descartes is what is adopted in mathematics. He wanted to use this method to reach the truth in philosophy. S V Keeling argues that his method as above rests on three mental operations intuition, deduction, and enumeration (cited by Burnham, 2006). These operations are based on human reason, on the ability to disseminate information, analyze, and review. Since it is based on the capability of human mind, there is a risk of error due to faulty memory. In the Meditations on First Philosophy Descartes proves the existence of God and the immortality of the soul. He also brings out the real distinction between the mind and the body. He starts this by asserting the need â€Å"to demolish everything completely and start again right from the foundations† (AT 7:17). Although the first step was termed as skeptical his skepticism was not for the sake of doubting. He wanted to arrive at the truth through systematic analysis and discarding the untruth. Descartes defines knowledge in terms of doubt: I distinguish the two as follows: there is conviction when there remains some reason, which might lead us to doubt, but knowledge is conviction based on a reason so strong that it can never be shaken by any stronger reason (cited by Norman, 2005). Descartes skeptical approach is based on the principle that there is a distinction between belief and truth (Bellotti, n.d.). It was this conviction that gave rise to the Method of Doubt. After making a cup of tea one may leave it to brew on the kitchen table under the belief that it is ready to be poured and consumed. The truth may be different from the belief, in the sense, someone could have poured the tea and taken it in the meantime. The pot may be empty by this time. The Method of Doubt removes all uncertain beliefs and only beliefs that are true beliefs remain. Descartes applied this theory to a group of beliefs so that beliefs need not be dealt individually. A common characteristic could be determined but this concept again leads one to believe that doubts would be on the entire group or class of beliefs. Here Descartes uses the malicious demon thought experiment. Gassendi criticized this theory saying that Descartes could just have regarded the previous knowledge as uncertain (cited by Norman) instead of demolishing everything. It is not necessary to consider everything as false. He felt that such an approach convinces the human mind that there is a devil who tricks us. It is simpler to admit the weakness of human nature. Gassendi pointed out the universal and hyperbolic nature of the Method of Doubt. Descartes argues that it is not possible to free ourselves of all the errors that the human mind has been soaked in. He firmly believes that universal and hyperbolic nature is necessary for the Method of Doubt to succeed. Descartes in his argument to demolish everything and start afresh applies the universal character and gives the analogy of a basket full of apples. To select and retain the good ones and discard the bad ones, it is wiser to empty the basket, then select the good ones and keep them in the basket. He feels this is a better and simpler way than picking out the rotten ones from the basket full of apples. He believes in first rejecting all beliefs as if they were false and then after careful analysis, adopt only the ones, which are true. One bad apple can rot the whole basket so if we were to pick out the bad ones, there is every possibility of overlooking one bad apple. On the other hand, if the whole basket is first emptied and then the good ones placed back, we can be sure of only adopting the truth. Descartes method of doubt, as foundation of knowledge does seem more effective than what has been suggested by Gassendi. When the basket is totally empty, it can be cleaned and then fresh, good apples picked and placed in the basket. It is a much faster process than negating the bad. Secondly, when the basket is empty, the stains left behind by the rotten apples can be seen and cleaned, which is not possible when the bad apples are picked out from the lot. His argument to discard everything as false relies on his argument that the mind believes on whatever it perceives through the physical eye. He did not believe that anything should be left to imagination. This has a sound basis, as the mind cannot imagine what it has not seen. In order to support that all prior beliefs are wrong, he discussed three stages the sense, dreams and the evil demon hypothesis. Descartes asserts that these do not have the power to falsify what we ‘seem to perceive. What we see through the sense mislead us. We cannot begin with doubt. Descartes even goes to the extent of affirming that even the external world that we perceive is an illusion, a dream and hence false. The enquiry has to start after eliminating all such perceptions. The next argument that arises is whether the escape from hyperbolic provides a satisfactory foundation for knowledge? This can be explained by an analogy of a building, which requires the use of a bulldozer to demolish it. A light bulldozer would make the ground appear immovable. Hence, a bigger bulldozer is more effective, which means the more hyperbolic the doubt, the better it is. According to Descartes, the Evil Genius Doubt is the most powerful doubt. This evil genius makes us believe the false as true. For instance, the transparent truths like 2+3=5 or that a square has only four sides, are knowable. For people to know, understand, and accept these truths, they have to be firmly grounded in the face of the most powerful doubts. The evil genius tries to shake even such hyperbolic doubts. People also firmly deny the existence of God. Descartes believes that the Evil Genius Doubt is just one of the factors that can motivate the hyperbolic doubt. The basic doubt is that the human m ind is flawed, and the mind is aware that it has been distorted despite God having given a nature to turn to him. The human mind keeps remembering all the past incidents and visions, and gives them the right to occupy the mind. It is not easy to accept that the world we see everyday is an illusion. It is only through deep introspection and a strong will that a person can accept the truth that God exists and all else is false. He has to be fixed in this belief and arrive at the knowledge of truth. He has to arouse himself from the deep slumber of falsehood. The more hyperbolic the doubt, the mind is activated better. Hence, the best approach is to discard everything as false and start afresh. Descartes philosophical approach through the Method of Doubt is a sound method. It is in fact the best approach to investigation. It is an investigation of the self by the self to reach the self or the truth. To reach the truth, through the Method of Doubt, an individual has to negate the external world around him. If he feels this world to be true or feels a part of this illusionary world, he can understand or realize the existence of God. The program of demolition is not only hyperbolic but also universal in nature. To face the Evil Genius there has to be an equally powerful doubt. Escape from hyperbolic cannot provide a satisfactory foundation for knowledge. References: Bellotti T (n.d.), Descartes Mehod of Doubt, 01 April 2006 Burnham D (2006), The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 01 April 2006 Newman, Lex, Descartes Epistemology, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2005 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL 01 April 2006

July at the Multiplex Essay

The purpose of this report is to inform Mr. Mull T. Plex and the consortium of theaters about the recommended actions to take against moviegoer Tommy. The options include proceeding with the litigation or negotiating a settlement that will be dealt with privately. The litigation against the Royal Theater is made by Tommy, a customer who claimed to have received a poor experience at the theater. In the following report, we used legal, statistical, and ethical reasoning. Legal: After analyzing both parties’ facts, there is a lack of fraudulent misrepresentation to follow suit. Therefore, Tommy has a weak standing. Statistical: 94% of surveyed moviegoers were not fazed by the commercials screened before the featured film. Ethical: The litigation by Tommy was propelled by the lack of quality customer service on Royal Theater’s behalf. This case does not need to proceed and can be resolved by making small adjustments to Royal Theater’s policies. Based on these analyses, we advise Mr. Mull T. Plex and the consortium to negotiate a private settlement. In order to prevent this from occurring again, we have also suggested our recommendations on adjustments to Royal Theater’s ticket stubs and refund policy. Introduction Mr. Mull T. Plex and the consortium of theaters around the area have hired our consulting team to analyze and break down the litigation against the Royal Theater made by Tommy. Tommy is suing the Royal Theater on charges of fraudulent misrepresentation and the consortium of theaters is very well concerned with the possibility of a class action lawsuit that could prevail from this case. Tommy’s lawsuit is based on his experience at the Royal Theater during the screening of movie â€Å"The Governator.† After a displeasing chain of events, Tommy demanded a full refund in which Royal Theater refused. Mr. Plex and the consortium of theaters have asked us to assess the  situation and to authenticate whether or not Tommy’s case will prevail in court. We have put together a thorough report containing evidence that Tommy’s case against the Royal Theater is very unlikely to be triumphant in court, survey results and recommendations which will not only help the Roy al Theater, but also the consortium of theaters to abstain from future allegations such as the ones made by Tommy. Facts 1. Representation of facts Tommy: Royal theaters informed Tommy that the movie begun at 1:00 PM. Tommy not only saw it on a newspaper advertisement but also confirmed it with the clerk. It was also the dimming of the light at 1:00 PM that led Tommy to believe that the showing was about to begin. 2. Representation was false Tommy: Tommy was lead to believe that the movie was to start at 1:00 PM, not the commercials. Since the commercials were 20 minutes long, the movie technically started at 1:20 PM and should have been represented like that. 3. Misrepresentation Tommy: Tommy is not a regular moviegoer; having some free time gave him the opportunity to enjoy a movie. Following a misrepresented time line left Tommy in a fraudulent misrepresentation of an untrue statement. Royal Theaters shouldn’t assume that just because other theaters show commercials that they shouldn’t disclose the knowledge of the movies true start time. Royal Theater: Royal Theater did not lie to Tommy. The viewing did start at 1:00 PM. The commercials are part of the experience of watching a movie and have been for a while not only at that theater but many others. The dimming of the lights is an indication that the audience should grab their seat so they won’t disturb the audience if they walk in a couple minutes late from the actual movie. 4. Intention the Plaintiff Should Rely Upon Tommy: Tommy saw an ad that was intentionally placed for movie goers by Royal Theaters. Relying on the information provided, Tommy rushed to make it on time to the movie that was said to start at 1:00 PM. What Tommy didn’t know was that Royal Theaters intentionally doesn’t inform people that the commercials start at 1:00 PM and lasts about 20 minutes. Dimming the lights  at 1:00 PM also seem to have prompted Tommy into coming early so he wouldn’t struggle to find a seat, forcing him to watch the commercials. Royal Theater: Royal Theaters is aware that not everyone is punctual. This commercial time allows people to not run around frantically looking for seats. Instead, it allows people to use the restroom facilities, grab any snacks and drinks from the concession stand, and return to the screening to avoid missing the movie. 5. The Plaintiff Reasonably Did So Rely Tommy relied on the continuous notion provided by the theater that the movie starts at 1:00 PM. Taking initiative to double check the times left Tommy no other choice but to trust and rely on the theaters ad and employees. 6. Damages Tommy: Being emotionally and financially damaged, Tommy is suing Mr. Mull T. Plex for the money spent on the ticket, concession stand, gas and mileage, and his time that was wasted. Royal Theater: Tommy did not suffer any severe damages. Driving to the destination is a choice that all moviegoers make on their own. Whether or not they would like to enjoy snacks and a drink is their decision to make and he had no complaints about that. The movie that was being played at the theater was an anticipated one that most people seem to have enjoyed. Survey Results We conducted a random survey consisting of a sample size of 100 moviegoers. They were asked if they were disturbed by the commercials and only 6% of the sample were disturbed by the commercials. Another random survey was conducted and 300 people were asked if the commercials were a disturbance. The result was 6% of the sample were disturbed. This shows that the showing of the commercials before the movie didn’t disturb many moviegoers. Please refer to the attached appendix for the full analytics. Recommendation The litigation made against Royal Theater heavily revolves around customer service. In order to improve customer service it is advised that all employees answer correctly in accordance to show times. Employees should inform customers the time the lights dim and the time the actual film  begins. In addition, a refund policy should be implicated. If the customer isn’t satisfied with the movie within the first 30 minutes, they reserve the right to a full refund. Movie ticket stubs should indicate what time the actual film begins to avoid future confusion with movie patrons. To ensure that Tommy is satisfied, the Royal Theater should issue a private apology. We also recommend that Tommy be gifted a pair of movie tickets and vouchers for the concession stand. A public announcement should be published in the local newspaper informing future moviegoers that there are 20 minutes of commercials before any movie. Conclusion Using legal, statistical and ethical reasoning, we found that Tommy’s case is minor and should not reach the courtroom. The issue roots from Tommy’s opinion on the Royal Theater’s customer service and commercial policy. Tommy’s reasoning does not hold legal value, therefore would not make it to a court room. Only 1% of moviegoers felt bothered by commercials before their anticipated screening. The consortium shouldn’t adopt drastic changes, as our survey results displayed that there weren’t many movie patrons disappointed that their film started twenty minutes late due to commercials. By issuing a private apology, Tommy would feel appreciated as a customer. We feel that by applying minor changes, movie patrons will continue to frequent Royal Theaters and leave happy with their experience.

Hostel Ddday

Respected dignitaries on the stage, all the professors and my dear hostelites.. â€Å"Suddenly out from home town, With B. Tech Degree as our Crown, We landed here, here we lived, here we matured, here Spent best years of our life, With best pals of mine, here learned basics and felt happiness with sorrows, People of Old hostel, To thee I bow† It feels like yesterday when all of us came together as â€Å"freshers†, when we met each other, sat together for group studies a day before of the exam, it feels like yesterday when we had all the fun together.But its hard to believe that these yesterdays have lasted for 4 years †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. and soon will die out on us. Its hard for me to believe that today I am giving a speech as a final year student and that our life as undergraduates is coming to an end. I am sure that almost everyone of us in the final yr tech have something waiting for us for a better tom,but given a chance, I am sure, every one of us would like to relive these 4 years. Words just fall short to describe my feelings for this hostel.We have got everything from it; friendship, affection, care, support , knowledge, maturity and what not I am sure that thses walls know our lifes better than us. We have done things, we would have never imagined doing before we came here and also things, which others could just do in their imagination. From mid night bday parties to burning mid night oil before exams, from all day sleep on holidays to full night games and laughter, from Dashera to Holi, from mosquitoes to bed bugs, from mess food to munna’s water †¦. We have seen it all here.I could exactly recall and experience the words of Harshal Chokha, when we all were in first yr, when he said â€Å"here We have undergone the biggest transition of our lives† This place has a culture of its own, where there is just no space for discrimination and ample space for love and unity. ( Here we have shared our deepest sorrows as well as the biggest achievements with friends). Though most of our juniors just have no idea about this culture as they have lived in the new hostel but I, along with everyone of us, have enjoyed this culture and lived every moment of it.We have lived here more like a family and I really feel proud to belong to it. Its been the hostelites who are famous or can I call infamous for attending the maximum of lectures to having the best of leaser. Now when I look back, its so hard to imagine where I would have been if not here. There is so much to say and it will take another 8 years for me to describe my 4 years of life in Old hostel I thank Prof Malshe for preserving this culture here and letting us all be a part of it. He as a person will be tough at times but really soft otherwise. Can never forget those nights when Sir is on surprise visit to the hostel and everybody runs here and there just informing others to be prepared for it. Can never forget how his comments become even mo re popular than the dialogues of the most amazing movies). I would like to thank him for lending his hand whenever we required his help and sir, we request you for your support even when we are not a part of this hostel. How can I forget last year, when hostel day was on the verge of getting cancelled, that he became hope and support for us and yes, we were able to make an eventful festival under the leadership of our GS Shailesh Marwah.As far as the achievements are concerned, the batch of final yr B tech could be called as the batch of achievers. People have got high paying jobs, top ranking universities, unmatchable GATE scores that too in third year, and still there is so much more to come. As far as extra curricular activities are concerened over the years we have excelled in both cultural and sports events. I would like to thank all the professors, who have always lend us their helping hands, all my classmates or I would say my brothers and my juniors for being there during th e highs and the lows. I could never repay you all for your favours ) and guys keep the spirit of old hostel high. I would like to end up on an emotional note, In all I can only say†¦.. â€Å"We lived in the old hostel for 4 years Enjoyed, cried had fun, shared tears, We hostelites live here as a a family with wings of UICT to fly freely now, its time for us to leave making this one of the best place for freshers to live† Thank youRespected dignitaries on the stage, all the professors and my dear hostelites.. â€Å"Suddenly out from home town, With B. Tech Degree as our Crown, We landed here, here we lived, here we matured, ere Spent best years of our life, With best pals of mine, here learned basics and felt happiness with sorrows, People of Old hostel, To thee I bow† It feels like yesterday when all of us came together as â€Å"freshers†, when we met each other, sat together for group studies a day before of the exam, it feels like yesterday when we had al l the fun together. But its hard to believe that these yesterdays have lasted for 4 years †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. and soon will die out on us. Its hard for me to believe that today I am giving a speech as a final year student and that our life as undergraduates is coming to an end.I am sure that almost everyone of us in the final yr tech have something waiting for us for a better tom,but given a chance, I am sure, every one of us would like to relive these 4 years. Words just fall short to describe my feelings for this hostel. We have got everything from it; friendship, affection, care, support , knowledge, maturity and what not I am sure that thses walls know our lifes better than us. We have done things, we would have never imagined doing before we came here and also things, which others could just do in their imagination.From mid night bday parties to burning mid night oil before exams, from all day sleep on holidays to full night games and laughter, from Dashera to Holi, f rom mosquitoes to bed bugs, from mess food to munna’s water †¦. We have seen it all here. I could exactly recall and experience the words of Harshal Chokha, when we all were in first yr, when he said â€Å"here We have undergone the biggest transition of our lives† This place has a culture of its own, where there is just no space for discrimination and ample space for love and unity. ( Here we have shared our deepest sorrows as well as the biggest achievements with friends).Though most of our juniors just have no idea about this culture as they have lived in the new hostel but I, along with everyone of us, have enjoyed this culture and lived every moment of it. We have lived here more like a family and I really feel proud to belong to it. Its been the hostelites who are famous or can I call infamous for attending the maximum of lectures to having the best of leaser. Now when I look back, its so hard to imagine where I would have been if not here. There is so much to say and it will take another 8 years for me to describe my 4 years of life in Old hostelI thank Prof Malshe for preserving this culture here and letting us all be a part of it. He as a person will be tough at times but really soft otherwise. ( Can never forget those nights when Sir is on surprise visit to the hostel and everybody runs here and there just informing others to be prepared for it. Can never forget how his comments become even more popular than the dialogues of the most amazing movies). I would like to thank him for lending his hand whenever we required his help and sir, we request you for your support even when we are not a part of this hostel.How can I forget last year, when hostel day was on the verge of getting cancelled, that he became hope and support for us and yes, we were able to make an eventful festival under the leadership of our GS Shailesh Marwah. As far as the achievements are concerned, the batch of final yr B tech could be called as the batch of achie vers. People have got high paying jobs, top ranking universities, unmatchable GATE scores that too in third year, and still there is so much more to come. As far as extra curricular activities are concerened over the years we have excelled in both cultural and sports events.I would like to thank all the professors, who have always lend us their helping hands, all my classmates or I would say my brothers and my juniors for being there during the highs and the lows. (I could never repay you all for your favours ) and guys keep the spirit of old hostel high. I would like to end up on an emotional note, In all I can only say†¦.. â€Å"We lived in the old hostel for 4 years Enjoyed, cried had fun, shared tears, We hostelites live here as a a family with wings of UICT to fly freely now, its time for us to leave making this one of the best place for freshers to live† Thank you

How Scientists Estimate the Weight of Extinct Dinosaurs

Imagine that youre a paleontologist examining the fossilized remains of a new genus of dinosaur--a hadrosaur, say, or a gigantic sauropod. After youve figured out how the specimens bones are put together, and what type of dinosaur youre dealing with, you eventually go on to estimate its weight. One good clue is how long the type fossil is, from the tip of its skull to the end of its tail; another is the estimated or published weight estimates for comparable types of dinosaurs. If youve discovered a huge titanosaur from late Cretaceous South America, for example, you might venture a guess of 80 to 120 tons for a full-grown adult, the approximate weight range of South American behemoths like Argentinosaurus and Futalognkosaurus. Now imagine that youre trying to estimate the weight not of a dinosaur, but of an obese stranger at a cocktail party. Even though youve been around human beings all of your life, of all shapes and sizes, your guess is more likely than not to be inaccurate: you might estimate 200 pounds when the person actually weighs 300 pounds, or vice-versa. (Of course, if youre a medical professional, your guess will be much closer to the mark, but still potentially off by 10 or 20 percent, thanks to the masking effect of the clothing the person is wearing.) Extrapolate this example to the 100-ton titanosaur mentioned above, and you can be off by as many as 10 or 20 tons. If guessing the weight of people is a challenge, how do you pull off this trick for a dinosaur thats been extinct for 100 million years? How Much Did Dinosaurs Really Weigh? As it turns out, recent research demonstrates that experts may have been drastically overestimating the weight of dinosaurs, for decades. Since 1985, paleontologists have used an equation involving various parameters (the total length of the individual specimen, the length of certain bones, etc.) to estimate the weight of all kinds of extinct animals. This equation produces reasonable results for small mammals and reptiles but veers sharply from reality when larger animals are involved. In 2009, a team of researchers applied the equation to still-extant mammals like elephants and hippopotamuses and found that it vastly overestimated their weight. So what does this mean for dinosaurs? At the scale of your typical sauropod, the difference is dramatic: whereas Apatosaurus (the dinosaur previously known as Brontosaurus) was once thought to weigh 40 or 50 tons, the corrected equation puts this plant-eater at a mere 15 to 25 tons (though, of course, it doesnt have any effect on its enormous length). Sauropods and titanosaurs, it seems, were much more slender than scientists have given them credit for, and the same probably applies to plus-sized duckbills like Shantungosaurus and horned, frilled dinosaurs like Triceratops. Sometimes, though, weight estimates veer off the tracks in the other direction. Recently, paleontologists examining the growth history of Tyrannosaurus Rex, by examining various fossil specimens at various growth stages, concluded that this fierce predator grew much more quickly than was previously believed, putting on as many as two tons per year during its teenaged spurt. Since we know female tyrannosaurs were bigger than males, this means that a full-grown T. Rex female may have weighed as much as 10 tons, two or three tons heftier than previous estimates. The More Dinosaurs Weigh, the Better Of course, part of the reason researchers impute enormous weights to dinosaurs (though they may not admit to it) is that these estimates give their findings more heft with the general public. When youre talking in terms of tons, rather than pounds, its easy to get carried away and carelessly attribute a weight of 100 tons to a newly discovered titanosaur, since 100 is such a nice, round, newspaper-friendly number. Even if a paleontologist is careful to tone down his weight estimates, the press is likely to exaggerate them, touting a given sauropod as the biggest ever when in fact it wasnt even close. People want their dinosaurs to be really, really big! The fact is, theres still a lot we dont know about how much dinosaurs weighed. The answer depends not only on measures of bone growth, but on other still-unresolved questions, such as what type of metabolism a given dinosaur possessed (weight estimates can be very different for warm-blooded and cold-blooded animals), what kind of climate it lived in, and what it ate on a daily basis. The bottom line is, you should take the weight estimate of any dinosaur with a big grain of Jurassic salt--otherwise, youll be sorely disappointed when future research results in a slimmed-down Diplodocus.