René Descartes - Meditation #1 - The Method of Doubt

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  • čas přidán 22. 07. 2024
  • I am writing a book! If you want to know when it is ready (and maybe win a free copy), submit your email on my website: www.jeffreykaplan.org/
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    This is a lecture about the first of Descartes' six Meditations on First Philosophy. It is part an introduction to philosophy course. In this meditation, Descartes explains his plan for all six meditations, then explains how his method of doubt will allow him to temporarily cease to believe all the things that he cannot know for certain, and finally executes the first part of that plan. He goes through the basic principles which underly his beliefs, doubts those basic principles, and then wipes clean all of his previous beliefs. Most notably, Descartes discusses dream skepticism, or the possibility that he is dreaming, and malicious demon skepticism, or the possibility that he is being deceived by an evil genius or malicious demon.

Komentáře • 297

  • @jarthur8428
    @jarthur8428 Před 3 lety +398

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      @profjeffreykaplan  Před 3 lety +37

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      @kingstondouglas3488 Před 2 lety +2

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      @justindrew6560 Před 2 lety

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      @SuperMessi88 Před 2 lety +1

      He was dismissive on some facts. Not good.

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      @shubhamtiwari7191 Před 2 lety

      Absolutely right man ...

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    @alexisjones419 Před 2 lety +154

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  • @abdullahkhaled3530
    @abdullahkhaled3530 Před rokem +25

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  • @odhinn9
    @odhinn9 Před 4 lety +170

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  • @sepo3451
    @sepo3451 Před rokem +30

    I am considering to start a philosophy study in my 50s. Thanks to you sir!
    Wish I had professors like you back in my time.

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      @gracejaklik2617 Před 9 měsíci +3

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    • @klosnj11
      @klosnj11 Před 8 měsíci +1

      If you are listening to this lecture, have you not already begun with your studies?
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    • @elementallobsterx
      @elementallobsterx Před 8 měsíci +1

      I’m 19, listening to this for my creative writing.

  • @sadafialvi
    @sadafialvi Před 2 lety +56

    I'm a student of Philosophy from Pakistan and you, sir, are a life saver. This is by far the best explanation on the subject. Thank you so much!

  • @amandafusca967
    @amandafusca967 Před 3 lety +44

    Great video! I'm learning about Descartes right now and this is by far one of the best explanations I have seen!

  • @ZeyadShoman
    @ZeyadShoman Před rokem +1

    I Usually don't comment on teaching videos but this vid. Is the defention of perfection.

  • @MrDaajani
    @MrDaajani Před 3 lety +8

    dude Jeffrey I'm eternally grateful to u
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    • @profjeffreykaplan
      @profjeffreykaplan  Před 3 lety +4

      Glad that I could help! The videos are all organized in the playlist section of my CZcams page, if that's helpful as well.

  • @GrumpyCat-mw5xl
    @GrumpyCat-mw5xl Před rokem +2

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    @user-vb5vc1ii6d Před 4 měsíci +1

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    @empassante1 Před rokem +2

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    @JacquelineWolf-vi4zu Před rokem +1

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  • @isobelstuart528
    @isobelstuart528 Před 2 lety +5

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  • @fluxo_musical
    @fluxo_musical Před 2 lety +4

    I've been to this text a lot, but I must say that I've also learned a whole lot more from this video series. You are such an excelent teacher! Those deep and continuous explanations really help to break the dense philosophical ideas that pertain to Descartes. Thank you!

  • @alllowercase6277
    @alllowercase6277 Před 2 lety +1

    thank you for this, I intend on watching them all. i like how when you don't know something, exact year etc, you just say..."whatever," it's comical, relatable and refreshing.

  • @aryabhardwaj4141
    @aryabhardwaj4141 Před 3 lety +10

    Thank you so much. Your video has helped me understand the text way better than I did, I watched the video and went back to the text to understand it way better. Online classes haven't been the best but watching your videos has made kept me sane to date. Thank you, I hope I get to learn from professors like you next semester.

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    @ravenofra1114 Před rokem +1

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  • @AnnaFuschiaScott
    @AnnaFuschiaScott Před 2 lety +2

    You are so animated, thank you for this wonderful breakdown of his first Meditation!

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    @therestoftheowl3938 Před 3 lety +5

    What you're doing is very valuable, thank you very much.

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    @benjaminbeard3736 Před rokem +2

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    @rika8285 Před 2 lety +3

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    @GalaOrka Před 2 lety +2

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  • @whateversmurfette
    @whateversmurfette Před 3 lety +2

    I started my new channel to pursue angles I hadn't before, came across this vid of yours because Descartes' philosophy was always such a fun ponder for me. What a great video, please continue pressing forward with your critical mind, the world needs it. Funny thing is I didn't even search Descartes, I was looking for more connections on two unrelated people. I love it!

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    @sanamir9886 Před 2 lety +2

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  • @rahulkhatoliya6052
    @rahulkhatoliya6052 Před 3 lety +2

    Explanation is at best , i think you are born to be the Master of Teaching , Great Work , Thanks a lot

  • @rogereriksson3189
    @rogereriksson3189 Před rokem

    Thank you so much Jeffrey, you are opening a new world for me!

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    @westerbeck8229 Před 3 lety +2

    Absolutely invaluable stuff here, much appreciated!!!

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    @pabli4750 Před 3 lety +2

    You are a great instructor, thank you for this philosophy video.

  • @bryceanwhimsey
    @bryceanwhimsey Před 2 lety +1

    A marvelous summation. Well done, sir, and thank you.

  • @auresplayz6658
    @auresplayz6658 Před 2 lety +2

    Very thorough and clear explanation done in the utmost logical order.

  • @advogado3118
    @advogado3118 Před rokem

    Prof. Kaplan is one of the most erudite guides into the otherwise impenetrable that I’ve had as a student.

  • @planetary-rendez-vous
    @planetary-rendez-vous Před rokem +1

    Time to learn philosophy! So grateful to have found the channel.

  • @martinbennett2228
    @martinbennett2228 Před 2 lety +7

    I also teach the méditations métaphysiques and would like to add a couple of points. Overall the work is one of the most extraordinary in literature because it operates on multiple levels. It is very frequently presented as a philosophical text; indeed it does present Descartes- philosophy, but it is also self evidently a work of fiction; he has invented the philosophical novel. To believe otherwise would be to believe that over a period of six days Descartes reconstructs the whole of philosophy (and presumably rests on the seventh day!).
    More specifically on the malevolent demon, I think this is best read as an allegory for the possibility that the mind might be messed up, this could be by drugs, hypnotism possibly or more importantly by lesions to the brain that systemically produce mistakes. These are now well documented in clinical neuroscience.
    By the way, thumbs up for your presentation.

    • @martinbennett2228
      @martinbennett2228 Před rokem

      @Chet Senior About any possible disorder to the mind.

    • @MugenTJ
      @MugenTJ Před rokem

      The same Descartes believed in the separation of mind and body, and that god exists, leading me to think Descartes was being a magician, pretending to cast doubt on everything, then to sell us the existence of the soul, mathematics , and god. When none of them are real things. How ironic, if he was sincere. Don’t get me wrong, he was a good thinker, nevertheless deeply influenced by the doctrines of his time.

    • @martinbennett2228
      @martinbennett2228 Před rokem +1

      @@MugenTJ Persuaded by the primacy of thought over sensory experience, Descartes was a rationalist and a dualist, the rational existence of mathematics is inevitable; his account of the soul "je m´imaginais qu'elle était quelque chose d'extrêmement rare et subtil, comme un vent, une flamme ou un air très délié (rarefied)" portrays it as extremey insubstantial: it is as though he does not want to completely deny any material quality for it; for God he resorts (mostly) to a strange, rationalist, immaterial final cause argument. Did Descartes really believe his God arguments? We know he knew that denying God's existence would have been lethal, so it is hard to be sure at that level. He did, however, need to invoke God in order to escape the solipsism of his existence as 'a thinking thing'.
      Where 'magic' is involved is in his dualism, how the immaterial world of ideas somehow manages to have material effects.

  • @troycampbell7408
    @troycampbell7408 Před rokem +8

    This man’s ability to write backwards on glass is amazing! When I realized that he was writing backwards so that the audience facing him could read it, I was floored.

    • @jenniferpellissier8337
      @jenniferpellissier8337 Před rokem

      I was thinking the exact same thing ! is he actually writing backwards ?

    • @viktorheylen9575
      @viktorheylen9575 Před rokem +9

      I believe he mirrors his videos, otherwise, what a talent this man has

    • @z3lurmorg
      @z3lurmorg Před rokem +8

      Yep, the videos are mirrored

    • @vytasffbismarck7001
      @vytasffbismarck7001 Před rokem +3

      really embarrassed i couldn't figure out the mirroring edit trick in my mind, kinda silly considering the course is supposed to improve thinking and logic and i can't even figure that out lols

    • @emrald2000
      @emrald2000 Před rokem +5

      @@vytasffbismarck7001 thats what the omnipotent demon wants you to think

  • @farrellundead4487
    @farrellundead4487 Před 2 lety +1

    Thank you so much for this lecture! I didn't learn half as much in 6 Uni classes as i did in this 40 minute video.

  • @rhondajohnson2725
    @rhondajohnson2725 Před rokem

    Engaging personality and excellent teaching style. Thank you!

  • @tentanghukumkita6381
    @tentanghukumkita6381 Před 2 lety +1

    Thank you Professor, very interesting explanation
    René Descartes - Meditation with The Method of Doubt 👍

  • @yashwarrior5231
    @yashwarrior5231 Před rokem

    One of the best teacher you are ,thank you ,thank you going to consume you alot 🙏❤️

  • @muhammadyahya3673
    @muhammadyahya3673 Před 2 lety +2

    That was a great lecture. Thanks!

  • @Thouxanbangeo
    @Thouxanbangeo Před 3 měsíci +2

    Thank you for helping me pass my exam today! Best wishes.😊

  • @muhammadkahfidarmawan8769

    You’re my favorite person in this platform!

  • @helenpappas8340
    @helenpappas8340 Před rokem

    Jeffery you are adorable and brilliant, I love learning and listening to your lectures❤️

  • @vmasci1212
    @vmasci1212 Před rokem

    Amazing pedagogical skills! Thanks for these explanations.

  • @13rolf
    @13rolf Před rokem +7

    "can he really write backwards?" that's when I know I need to take a break 😂 Thank you for the outstanding videos by the way!

    • @hjominous
      @hjominous Před rokem +1

      They flipped the video. :)

    • @deyfuck
      @deyfuck Před rokem

      ​@@hjominous Such a simple yet brilliant technique.

  • @thestoiclion5459
    @thestoiclion5459 Před 2 lety +1

    thank you so much for this, much to learn!

  • @shootfilmnotguns2023
    @shootfilmnotguns2023 Před 2 lety +2

    Great lecture! This helped me a lot.

  • @anshuuu9708
    @anshuuu9708 Před rokem

    Mann,i am hooked to these lectures, I wish he was my professor, i would even attend University on Sundays,legit.

  • @fizaaahere
    @fizaaahere Před rokem

    seriously Philosophy hasn't been this fun for me . I was literally laughing my ass out!. I have a humble suggestions for the audience that just go through the mediations before watching this for atleast once and listen Jeffrey Kalpan's great lecture you will obviously enjoying it. Hats of you Master! Thank you.

  • @roynalsj
    @roynalsj Před rokem

    Very clear explanation. Thank you so much, Sir. This video was very helpful.

  • @dogsdomain8458
    @dogsdomain8458 Před 4 lety +4

    Thanks for this video. Keep up the great work!

  • @merikijiya13
    @merikijiya13 Před rokem

    Fantástico!!! I love this channel.

  • @rogerdudra178
    @rogerdudra178 Před rokem

    Greetings from the BIG SKY. When I 1st attended Colorado College, I had to read Rene' Descarte's stuff. Hard reading for a Montana kid.

  • @kpro9047
    @kpro9047 Před 2 lety +1

    Another amazing video. I'd like to add my voice to those that would welcome and be grateful for a lecture on Spinoza's ethics if you ever have the time and inclination.

  • @pascalmassie4706
    @pascalmassie4706 Před 2 lety +1

    This is excellent!

  • @casitis4569
    @casitis4569 Před 2 lety +1

    thought provoking presentation.

  • @chloed2093
    @chloed2093 Před 2 lety +1

    This was certainly useful!

  • @Underwear51
    @Underwear51 Před 3 lety +1

    Thanks a lot. You rocks!

  • @Mike-mm4mx
    @Mike-mm4mx Před rokem

    very enjoyable presentation great lecture makes one want to pursue this topic more and even read the book!

  • @KHAN23457
    @KHAN23457 Před rokem

    Love you Sir ❤
    Really helpful in understanding philosophy 💕

  • @letsdeveloptogether3213
    @letsdeveloptogether3213 Před 3 lety +2

    Really great work! Thanks!

  • @ComptonFunk
    @ComptonFunk Před 2 měsíci +1

    Truly the best channel

  • @mileskeller5244
    @mileskeller5244 Před 2 lety

    You are hands down the funniest Philosopher 🤣 I was dying when you said "french pajamas or whatever".

  • @Gnaw85
    @Gnaw85 Před 3 lety +1

    Thank you! You explain it so much better than my philosophy professor. I wish you were my professor.

  • @esmmisa1750
    @esmmisa1750 Před 10 měsíci

    You explained very well, thank you

  • @sheepshark
    @sheepshark Před 2 lety +1

    This was so perfect, thank you so much. I understand the material so much better with your teaching style and tech.

  • @prynneargo1046
    @prynneargo1046 Před 3 lety +1

    thank you so much!

  • @robertpapps3618
    @robertpapps3618 Před rokem

    Excellent, thanks much!

  • @josiedesir8712
    @josiedesir8712 Před 9 měsíci

    You are one of the best sir❤thank you

  • @olivia-ld9mf
    @olivia-ld9mf Před 9 měsíci

    I love you, respectively.

  • @kuki.256
    @kuki.256 Před 3 lety +1

    Love it❤️❤️

  • @travisryan6545
    @travisryan6545 Před rokem +1

    Many of the great movie in the last 100 years makes use of Decartes' "Method of Doubt" - Wizard of Oz, The Matrix, Inception, Fight Club etc

    • @antoinemozart243
      @antoinemozart243 Před 7 měsíci

      Don't forget Ridley Scott 's Blade Runner and Deckart ( Descartes).

  • @VickyNaveen92
    @VickyNaveen92 Před 2 lety +1

    i just found it really helpful from India

  • @noidea7523
    @noidea7523 Před 3 lety +1

    love the channel

    • @noidea7523
      @noidea7523 Před 3 lety +1

      i absolutely love self educating since, being in an arts degree doesnt give me enough knowledge about philosophy and reading it is hard, being a non english speaker. so i really appreciate having free courses explained amazingly well :)

  • @randallmacdonald4851
    @randallmacdonald4851 Před rokem

    Ha! Without looking ahead on the list of lectures, I could see that "Cogito; ergo, sum" was coming next. (I'd thought about just that concept years ago.) I think I'm beginning to enjoy Philosophy thanks to Professor Kaplan.

  • @musicU-xd4em
    @musicU-xd4em Před 3 lety +1

    Sir i am frm India and firstly i watched the last meditation and it look like a awesome experience of descarts philosophy
    Now i see all the lectures

  • @omenznc
    @omenznc Před 3 lety

    Loved the Video Professor Kaplan it helped a lot! - Michael Wiktorek

    • @profjeffreykaplan
      @profjeffreykaplan  Před 3 lety +2

      Glad it helped! check out the playlists section of my youtube channel for the organized list of the Descartes videos, and my other videos.

  • @lilDemo808
    @lilDemo808 Před 3 lety +6

    I have an exam about anthropology and Descartes first and second meditation tomorrow, this helped a lot. Thanks mate. PS: This made me laugh way harder then it should have 32:44

  • @albinan928
    @albinan928 Před 2 lety +1

    Thanks!

  • @em_the_bee
    @em_the_bee Před rokem +1

    2:09 the funny thing is, meter is defined to be the distance light passes in 1/299 million something-something seconds, so technically that's guaranteed to be true; by definition.

  • @SpaceTimeTurtle
    @SpaceTimeTurtle Před rokem

    I've seen the number three.
    It was a giant number three shouting at kids in a local park.
    Anyways, this video lecture was fun and super interesting.
    Off to the next video.
    Cheers. :):)

  • @Crvftie
    @Crvftie Před 2 lety +1

    This was funny and informative!

  • @sarahwajdi7428
    @sarahwajdi7428 Před rokem

    Thank u dr❤🇯🇴

  • @geraldoramon325
    @geraldoramon325 Před 9 měsíci

    Estoy asistiendo por el subtitulo en español gracias por por el contenido!!

  • @shivadasa
    @shivadasa Před rokem

    Enlightenment is the waking world equivalent of a lucid dream.

  • @perpetual989
    @perpetual989 Před 9 měsíci

    Pedagogical wizard we salute you 🫡

  • @acediaow2852
    @acediaow2852 Před 3 lety +2

    I think in this case senses would “mislead” rather than “deceive.”

  • @MrElderberries
    @MrElderberries Před 9 měsíci

    I don't believe anyone could write any better backwards, than this guy.

    • @johnlewis5330
      @johnlewis5330 Před 5 měsíci

      The video is flipped...he's right handed.

  • @PaulMcMinotaur
    @PaulMcMinotaur Před rokem

    This is the best thing on CZcams. I want to take the exam, and I’m not even in the class!
    (Just kidding… I don’t really want to take the exam)

  • @thisisaemmu2077
    @thisisaemmu2077 Před 5 měsíci

    Thank you❤

  • @rhpmike
    @rhpmike Před rokem +1

    I've never heard meditation 1 explained in more than a couple sentences, so this was nice. A question, though: why does it matter the respective rationales for the doubt? For example, it seems that everything could just be subsumed under "demon" and Descartes would lose nothing. Or, rather than being more specific, couldn't everything just be broadened: "Perception isn't always reality." What would be lost by just simplifying the reasons for doubt?

  • @maksman.maurice
    @maksman.maurice Před rokem

    Well explained

  • @brucestunkard2893
    @brucestunkard2893 Před rokem

    I too appreciate the clarity of the lecturer. After listening to the first lecture on Descartes First Meditation I think Ive got a grasp of Descartes project and his method of doubt. That said Im baffled by the lecturers conclusion that all Descartes beliefs have been doubted. Didn’t Descartes say that an all powerful demon might be able to deceive him but not God who is good. If I heard right then Rene has not doubted his belief in God. Or did I miss something which is quite possible. Id appreciate anyone correcting me if this is not so because if I got this right then Im not certain whether to believe the lecturer in his following lectures.

  • @TheOmalka
    @TheOmalka Před 4 měsíci

    Amazing explanation ...

  • @achrafabouras2118
    @achrafabouras2118 Před rokem +1

    can you do the confessions of book 10 by saint augustine, and St. Auscln (something that which nothing is greater can be thought of)

  • @udbhavmehta4787
    @udbhavmehta4787 Před 2 lety +1

    love u bro

  • @halitozgur6166
    @halitozgur6166 Před 5 měsíci +1

    Michael Sugrue and Jeffrey Kaplan 👑

  • @Ramsey-cl3se
    @Ramsey-cl3se Před 5 měsíci

    Simply expressed the complex philosophical thoughts