What are the prospects for the Cartesian project?

Descartes’ project is to start from what is clear and distinct and to incrementally build up his knowledge by argument from that foundation. What are the prospects for the Cartesian project? Is there more that is clear and distinct than what Descartes identifies? Is there less? Is it possible, using Descartes’ methods, to establish that there is an external world without proving that God exists? Make sure to back up your contentions with arguments. B. Consider the Problem of Error: if God exists, and he is not a deceiver, then why is it so often the case that he allows humans to form false beliefs? What is Descartes’ reply to the Problem of Error? Is his reply successful? You may find it worthwhile to critique Descartes’ model of how error arises in Meditation IV. Are there cases of error which can’t be covered on the model? Does the model succeed in solving the Problem of Error? C. In arguing that God exists in Meditation III, Descartes relies on the premise, which he takes to be clear and distinct, that the cause of an idea must have at least as much formal reality as the idea itself has objective reality. First, state how this premise is used in the proof of God’s existence. What is its significance? Second, consider why Descartes thinks this principle is true (besides the fact that it’s clear and distinct). You may want to discuss what the precise nature of objective reality is. Finally, state what you take to be the best objection to this principle. How would Descartes respond to this objection? Would his response be adequate? EXPLANATORY ESSAY QUESTION D. It has been said that Meditations on First Philosophy derives all of its major conclusions in metaphysics (the dualism of infinite souls and one extended reality), physics (the structure of the physical world outside the mind as geometric), psychology (the dualism of Mind-Body interaction, free will and mechanization of the body), epistemology (truth gathered from intuition, sensation as private experience, essence-existence distinction) and the theology (theism or occasional-ism) derives from God’s benevolence. In short, Descartes’ philosophy is a “transcendental metaphysics,” yet also the ground of the New Science.