位置11的问题 Descartes' wax example is intended to show that the wax is the same substance before and after it is melted, and this observation indicates how: knowledge of sensible objects is based on what reason (and not sense) identifies as wax. our senses portray the physical characteristics of wax in purely non-sensible ways. knowing that something is wax is the same thing as sensibly experiencing something as wax.

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question centers on Descartes' wax example and what it reveals about how we know sensible objects.
Option A: 'knowledge of sensible objects is based on what reason (and not sense) identifies as wax.' This aligns with Descartes' claim that, although the wax changes its sensible properties when melted, our understanding that it remains the same object comes from reason, not from sense-perceived qualities. The senses mislead by presenting changing appearances, while reason apprehends the underlying substance as wax.
Option B: 'our senses portray the physical characteristics of wax in purely non-sensible ways.' Descartes actually argues the opposite: senses convey changing, physical, sensible attributes that can mislead us about identity. The problem is precisely that sense experience is not reliable for identifying the true nature of the object, which is why reason is needed.
Option C: 'knowing that something is wax is the same thing as sensibly experiencing something as wax.' This conflates knowledge with perception. Descartes distinguishes between merely sensing (which yields variable, imperfect data) and knowing via rational identification that the object is wax, through analytic reflection on its essence beyond sensory input.
In summary, the core lesson from the wax example is that true knowledge of the object's identity (that it is wax) rests with rational analysis rather than solely on sensory impressions, which can change. The erroneous options either overstate the reliability of sense data or equate knowledge with sensation, both of which misinterpret Descartes' argument.

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