Descartes is said to have famously concluded that, “I think, therefore I am”

Descartes is said to have famously concluded that, “I think, therefore I am” as a result into his enquiry into what we can know.

1. Why was this an important result for him? That is, what role does this famous quote play in the overall arguments that he was making in the selections that you read?
2. Can you develop a criticism of Descartes’ rationalist arguments on behalf of one of the author authors that we read this week (i.e., either Locke, Berkeley, or Hume)? For the philosopher that you chose, how do his arguments work as a criticism of the central aspect of Descartes’ rationalist arguments?
3. Who is right? Defend your own thesis in which you either argue that one or the other position is the correct foundational epistemology, or, alternatively, give a critical analysis of one or the other position to show that it is not the correct foundational epistemology. This section should comprise the bulk of your essay.

Sample Solution