List,
This is a misunderstanding. Descartes utilized doubt to dispell doubt (and
might have said "Doubt doubts itself"). But his philosophy didn't end when
he said "I think, therefore I am" (which is two absolutes, "I think" and "I
am"--notice NEITHER absolute is "I Doubt"). Instead, "I think, therefore I
am" was the *basis* of his philosophy--his philosophy began AFTER dispelling
doubt and continued beyond I am. I think the reason it is said Descartes'
philosophy was founded on doubt was to contrast and compare the philosophy
from the sceptics (rather, to use doubt to disprove scepticism--the only
*proof* they would listen to). But to put Descartes into the category of a
sceptic is to misunderstand everything that he theorized.
Brett
ps Did you miss my quote?: In his very own words he said that he used doubt
to find a foundation which was without doubt?
Returning,
rBERTS%n
http://www.tctc.com/~unameit/makepage.htm
Our policy is, when in doubt, do the right thing.
Roy L. Ash, ex-president Litton Industries