Text 1 summary

In this text, Descartes presents his analysis of ideas. First, Descartes says that our ideas, considered as immanent content (internal content) of our mind, cannot be considered as false.Then, after recognizing that we can only be wrong when we make statements, he says that it is a very common mistake to think that our ideas refer to external entities because, otherwise, we will never be wrong. Finally, Descartes concludes exposing his distinction between the three types of ideas: innate, fictitious, and adventitious.

Text 2 summary

In this text, John Locke presents his critique to Cartesian innatism. First, Locke says that the goal of this text is to refute the widespread belief about the existence of innate ideas in our mind by showing how this knowledge is acquired through sensitive experience. Then, he takes as a representative example of supposed innate principles these: "everything that exists, it exists" and "it is impossible for something to be and not to be", and questions their innate character since these principles are not recognized by all individuals. Finally, he reinforces his previous argument mentioning children and "idiots" because they ignore these principles and, therefore, these statements lack universal recognition, a quality that is supposed to any innate principle.

Text 3 summary

The principal topic of this text is the ethics, Savater F. makes clear that it is the art of living or probably of being able to live, which is convenient for us and what not. In this case, the author says that each one explains for his own interest for a nearby or distant future, inside these studies there is essential knowledge which we need to live and they are to be able to distinguish what is convenient for us and what not, but this task is not so simple. We have a capacity which separates us from the animals, which it is that of the will, be able to say that you want or that not, to this there is called he a freedom. Our freedom divides in two conditions: -In the first one we cannot choose what happens to us, but if to act to the situations that happen to us. -On the other hand another side, the second condition is to accept something though not always we achieve the wished results. Many persons do not believe in the freedom since they do not assume the responsibility of his acts. This is what Savater defines for ethics.

THE ROLE OF REASON IN PHILOSOPHY

• Biological meaning, that is, reason as a human faculty. /• Social meaning, where reason is understood as a set of argument, criteria, rules, principles, etc., which are useful to organised human cohabitation.

BIOLOGICAL MEANING Since I reached the age of reason, I always like philosophy /SOCIAL MEANING The reason we're here is to learn philosophy

Both meanings are used frequently in philosophy, so it is important to identify their differences to avoid make mistakes or misunderstandings. In some way, we can affirm that the use of the word “reason”, with a social meaning, refers to those ideas, concepts or mental contents which results from the use of reason with a biological meaning, that is, reason as a human faculty.