Descartes on the objective reality of materially false ideas

Authors
Citation
D. Kaufman, Descartes on the objective reality of materially false ideas, PAC PHIL Q, 81(4), 2000, pp. 385-408
Citations number
35
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Philosiphy
Journal title
PACIFIC PHILOSOPHICAL QUARTERLY
ISSN journal
0279-0750 → ACNP
Volume
81
Issue
4
Year of publication
2000
Pages
385 - 408
Database
ISI
SICI code
0279-0750(200012)81:4<385:DOTORO>2.0.ZU;2-9
Abstract
'The Standard Interpretation' of Descartes on material falsity states that Descartes believed that materially false ideas (MFIs) lack 'objective reali ty' (realitas objectiva). The argument for the Standard Interpretation depe nds on a statement from the 'Third Meditation' that MFIs are caused by noth ing. This statement, in conjunction with a causal principle introduced by D escartes, seems to entail that MFIs lack objective reality. However, the St andard Interpretation is incorrect. First, I argue that, despite initial ap pearances, the manner in which Descartes understands the proposition that M FIs are caused by nothing does not entail that they lack objective reality. Secondly, I argue that Descartes is committed to the objective reality of MFIs because of his quasi-scholastic explanation of MFIs.