Write thesis on:
Descartes thinks that only propositions that are beyond all doubt can be considered knowledge. Do you agree with this? What sorts of thing(s) might we know beyond all possible doubt? What sort of thing(s) might we know despite having doubts? Exp
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Thesis Statement: Descartes’ assertion that only propositions beyond all doubt can be considered knowledge is too restrictive, as there are instances where knowledge can be established despite the presence of doubts.
Descartes, a prominent philosopher of the 17th century, posited that true knowledge must be founded upon indubitable propositions. While Descartes’ emphasis on certainty as a basis for knowledge presents a compelling argument, it is overly stringent in its exclusion of propositions that may still hold substantial epistemic value despite the presence of doubts. In this essay, we will explore the limitations of Descartes’ perspective and consider the types of knowledge that can be known beyond all possible doubt, as well as those that can be known despite lingering uncertainties.
Knowledge Beyond All Possible Doubt
Certain truths can be known beyond all possible doubt due to their self-evident nature or the coherence of their logical structure. Mathematical propositions, such as “2 + 2 = 4” or “a square has four equal sides,” are often cited as examples of knowledge that can be considered indubitable. These statements rely on axioms and logical reasoning that leave no room for doubt, making them prime candidates for knowledge according to Descartes’ stringent criteria.
Additionally, some foundational principles of logic and metaphysics, such as the law of non-contradiction (“A cannot be both A and non-A at the same time and in the same respect”), are deemed incontrovertible due to their essential role in structuring our understanding of reality. These fundamental truths serve as pillars upon which other forms of knowledge can be built, providing a solid framework that withstands the test of doubt.
Knowledge Despite Doubts
While Descartes’ emphasis on certainty has its merits, it fails to account for the complexity of human cognition and the inherent fallibility of our reasoning processes. In reality, many aspects of knowledge are characterized by varying degrees of certainty, with doubts serving as catalysts for critical inquiry and refinement of beliefs.
Scientific knowledge, for instance, is inherently provisional and subject to revision in light of new evidence or theoretical advancements. Despite the presence of uncertainties and competing hypotheses, scientific inquiry allows us to acquire valuable insights into the natural world and make informed decisions based on the best available evidence.
Moreover, ethical and moral knowledge often necessitates grappling with conflicting values and ambiguous situations where certainties are elusive. While moral dilemmas may give rise to doubts and ethical complexities, individuals can still cultivate a nuanced understanding of right and wrong through reflection, dialogue, and ethical reasoning.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Descartes’ insistence on absolute certainty as a criterion for knowledge overlooks the nuanced ways in which we navigate uncertainties and construct meaningful beliefs about the world. While certain propositions may indeed be known beyond all doubt, many forms of knowledge thrive in the presence of doubts, fostering intellectual growth and expanding our capacity for understanding. By acknowledging the limitations of strict Cartesian skepticism and embracing the richness of epistemic diversity, we can cultivate a more nuanced and inclusive conception of knowledge that accommodates both certainties and doubts in our quest for understanding.
