??Descartes argues against trusting the senses on the grounds that a) ?They never directly deceive him b) ?They sometimes deceive him c) ?God allows sensory deception d) ?Sense perception is indubitable
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
b) They sometimes deceive him
Explanation:
René Descartes, in his philosophical work Meditations on First Philosophy, argues that the senses cannot always be trusted because they are sometimes deceptive. He begins his foundational skepticism by doubting all sources of knowledge, including sense perception.
Descartes notes that our senses can deceive us in various ways. For instance, objects appear smaller when viewed from a distance, straight sticks appear bent when submerged in water, and illusions or hallucinations can trick us into perceiving things that are not actually present. If our senses have misled us even once, Descartes argues, then they cannot be entirely reliable.
This skepticism is part of Descartes’ methodic doubt, which seeks to establish a foundation for absolutely certain knowledge. He considers the possibility that an all-powerful evil demon might be manipulating his perceptions, making it difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion. Because of this, he concludes that sense perception cannot serve as a basis for absolute knowledge.
Instead of relying on the senses, Descartes turns to reason and logical deduction as the primary means of acquiring true knowledge. He eventually arrives at his famous statement, “Cogito, ergo sum” (“I think, therefore I am”), which he believes is an indubitable truth.
Thus, the correct answer is b) They sometimes deceive him, as Descartes acknowledges that while the senses can be useful, they are not infallible, and therefore, they cannot be the ultimate foundation of knowledge.