Write responses to each of the following questions based on the readings: 1) Wha

Question

Write responses to each of the following questions based on the readings:

1) What is Descartes' "evil demon" hypothesis? Why does he introduce this into his discussion?

2) What kind of thing does Descartes think that he is? How does he arrive at this conclusion?

3) What "extravagant" opinion does Hylas accuse Philonous of holding? How does Philonous argue that this opinion is not "skeptical"?

4) Hylas tries proposing a material "substratum" to explain what we observe. What does he mean by this, and how does Philonous objects

Write responses to each of the following questions based on the readings:

1) What is Descartes' "evil demon" hypothesis? Why does he introduce this into his discussion?

2) What kind of thing does Descartes think that he is? How does he arrive at this conclusion?

3) What "extravagant" opinion does Hylas accuse Philonous of holding? How does Philonous argue that this opinion is not "skeptical"?

4) Hylas tries proposing a material "substratum" to explain what we observe. What does he mean by this, and how does Philonous objects

Explanation / Answer

Descartes describes the evil demon as a malicious being with "utmost power and cunning", who strives to create a perfect illusion of the external world. This hypothesis was introduced during Descartes' most radical phase of methodological doubt. Descartes uses the evil demon hypothesis to argue that reality, may infact, be merely a mirage. From this, he questions the testimony of his senses or his empirical memory on the basis of past occasions as these apparent sources of knowledge may have misled him.
Please post the other questions separately as we are supposed to answer just one question or four sub parts of the same question.

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