In both "Discourse on Method," part 4, and Meditation 3 we find 2 arguments for the existence of God: one can be described as a "causal" argument (see "Discourse," part 4, AT 33 ff.); the other is known as a "cosmological" argument (see Med. 3, AT 48 ff.). In "Discourse," part 4, and in Meditation 5 we find an additional argument, known as the "ontological" argument (AT 65 ff.).
In 2-5 well-written paragraphs, lay out the steps of one of these arguments in as much detail as you can, with special attention to (1) what kind of God is being argued for; and (2) in what respect the argument relies on what Descartes says about "ideas" at the opening of Meditation 3. You can also note any important differences you see between the presentation of the proof in Meditation 3, and how it appears in the "Discourse." Support your answer with citations and quotations.*
Special Assignment for Students who missed Take-Home Quiz 1: Answer this question for the causal or cosmological argument and for the ontological argument to be completely caught up on the quizzes. (If you like, you can hand in an answer for either the causal or cosmological proof on Wednesday, September 25, and an answer for the ontological proof on Friday, September 27.)
Since this is your first reading of these texts, and since we have not yet discussed them in class, you needn't aim for definitive answers but preliminary, thoughtful responses based on close attention to the text. Your answers may also include 1-2 important questions raised by your reading for further discussion.
*please refer not to the regular page numbers in the book, but to the marginal "Adam-Tannery" page numbers (see "Note on the Translation" at the beginning of the book), e.g., "(AT 41)."
Please type and double-space your answer, and number and staple the pages you hand in.
Please keep a copy of your quiz to refer to in our class discussions of Descartes over the next few meetings.
revised version posted September 19