Exam 23: René Descartes: Cartesian Doubt and the Search for Foundational Knowledge

In this essay Russell argues against the idea that adherence to religious dogma is humankind's best hope for alleviating the world's evils. Uncritical acceptance of faith-based morality is dangerous and noxious because it leads to coercion by authorities who wish to preserve orthodoxy, to intolerance of opposing views, and to discouragement of honest inquiry. Contrary to general opinion, he says, Christianity has historically not embodied better morality than rival worldviews have: "Christianity has been distinguished from other religions by its greater readiness to persecution." To those who believe that intelligence has caused our troubles, he says, "It is not unintelligence that will cure them. Only more and wiser intelligence can make a happier world." -Descartes denies the possibility of knowledge.

In this essay Russell argues against the idea that adherence to religious dogma is humankind's best hope for alleviating the world's evils. Uncritical acceptance of faith-based morality is dangerous and noxious because it leads to coercion by authorities who wish to preserve orthodoxy, to intolerance of opposing views, and to discouragement of honest inquiry. Contrary to general opinion, he says, Christianity has historically not embodied better morality than rival worldviews have: "Christianity has been distinguished from other religions by its greater readiness to persecution." To those who believe that intelligence has caused our troubles, he says, "It is not unintelligence that will cure them. Only more and wiser intelligence can make a happier world." -Descartes declares that he knows with certainty that he is.

In this essay Russell argues against the idea that adherence to religious dogma is humankind's best hope for alleviating the world's evils. Uncritical acceptance of faith-based morality is dangerous and noxious because it leads to coercion by authorities who wish to preserve orthodoxy, to intolerance of opposing views, and to discouragement of honest inquiry. Contrary to general opinion, he says, Christianity has historically not embodied better morality than rival worldviews have: "Christianity has been distinguished from other religions by its greater readiness to persecution." To those who believe that intelligence has caused our troubles, he says, "It is not unintelligence that will cure them. Only more and wiser intelligence can make a happier world." -Descartes is concerned with propositional knowledge.

In this essay Russell argues against the idea that adherence to religious dogma is humankind's best hope for alleviating the world's evils. Uncritical acceptance of faith-based morality is dangerous and noxious because it leads to coercion by authorities who wish to preserve orthodoxy, to intolerance of opposing views, and to discouragement of honest inquiry. Contrary to general opinion, he says, Christianity has historically not embodied better morality than rival worldviews have: "Christianity has been distinguished from other religions by its greater readiness to persecution." To those who believe that intelligence has caused our troubles, he says, "It is not unintelligence that will cure them. Only more and wiser intelligence can make a happier world." -Descartes says that thought is an attribute that