Ryker Olsen

Professor Israelsen
Philosophy
30 November 2016
Take-home Quiz #4
During this class I have learned so many things. I have honestly learned a lot of things
that I think are extremely interesting. I thought it was so interesting to learn what philosophers
throughout history were thinking about lifes greatest, most difficult questions. Before I started
this class, I was a person that demanded absolute certainty (similar to Descartes I suppose) to
these types of questions. However, I now realize that when you are dealing with these types of
questions, having different perspectives will only aid you in finding the answers you are looking
for. Philosophy is something I have always been very interested in, and I am glad I took this
class.
One of the philosophers that I enjoyed learning about was Socrates. Not only do I admire
Socrates way of questioning, and the passion he had for spreading his knowledge, but I also
admire Socrates bravery and confidence. Even in the face of persecution and death, Socrates
was able to stand his ground and stick to his beliefs. He even had a chance to escape his
imprisonment, but stayed to face trial and stand up for what he believed in. I believe this level of
bravery and confidence are some of the most admirable traits a person can have.
Another philosopher that I enjoyed learning about was Descartes. I thought that
Descartes hyperbolic doubt was a very interesting and effective way of proving his existence. I
was very interested in Descartes solutions to his hyperbolic doubt. I believe that Descartes has
some very good points in his first two meditations. I completely agree with the mind being
better known than the body, as well as the mind giving us knowledge of objects. I thought that
the wax example was a brilliant way of demonstrating that the mind is what gives us knowledge
of objects. Descartes I think, therefore I am in my opinion is a genius way of demonstrating
your existence. I also admire his mathematical way of explaining things, but I dont think it is
always applicable.
I also enjoyed learning about Hume. I was particularly interested in his thoughts on ideas
and impressions. It makes a lot of sense to me that ideas cannot exist without their impressions.
I enjoyed learning about the inductive assumption. I agree that it is not possible to prove that the
future will be like the past, and I enjoyed Humes arguments for why it is not possible. I was
also interested in Hume because even though some of his beliefs contradict themselves, he
doesnt completely disregard his theory. He realized that his theory had flaws, but he believed
that it had the least flaws.
I have learned a lot from this class, and I look forward to taking more philosophy classes.
This class has made me realize that I am very interested in philosophy. This class has given me
different ways of looking at lifes difficult questions. I enjoyed learning about all the
philosophers that we were taught about in this class, but I liked Socrates, Descartes, and Hume
the most. I liked learning about the different perspectives and views that these philosophers had
to offer.