I understand Latin
Question (a)
People are incorrigible or uncorrectable about the proposition ‘I understand Latin. Thinking is an important concept of the principle of incorrigibility. Our mental consciousness influences our desires, our thinking, hopes, fears, and beliefs. To say I understand Latin shows the function of the mind, thinking about the knowledge one has about Latin. Before believing in certain statements, our mental strength is consulted first. In this case, understanding is a function of the mind, and this shows how important in determining what we believe in. This proposition meets incorrigibility requirements, which are sincerity and truth. A statement should be sincerely made for it to true, and if a statement is true should be believed. The proposition I understand Latin shows conscious thinking, which helps to build its truth. Descartes said, ‘I think’ and ‘I am,’ and to explain this, if I think of my understanding of Latin, I will have the knowledge, and this explains why it will be difficult to change people’s belief on this statement. ( Field, 1993).
Question (b)
People may be correctable or incorrigible about the proposition that ‘I want to finish my homework.’ The desire to finish the homework is facilitated by the human mind; conscious thoughts are the basis of our knowledge. The mental sensations, in this case, focused on the completion of the homework. We may not be sure about the sincerity and the truth based on this proposition. The desire to finish the homework may change or influence by other factors. This may lead some people to abandon their belief in the statement. But if we base it on Descartes’s principle, if we want to go the homework, we will get it done based on our thinking. People will believe in the statement, and their beliefs on this proposition would remain uncorrectable(Doppelt, 1978)
This proportion ‘I doubt, and I am uncertain that there are valuable diamonds under my chair.’ I have come to understand that our thinking and our mental states influence our beliefs. This proposition is based on doubt and uncertainty; the mind is in a doubtful state. The reason for this may be due to the unconsciousness of the brain, the knowledge of the conscious sensations will be limited. With doubt and uncertainty, the sincerity and the truth of the statement will be compromised. For example, a student doing an exam is not sure about the answer to a specific question; the student will not be sure if he got the question right and not guaranteed to pass the exam. Since such a statement can not meet the qualification of incorrigibility, people will not be unruly about the proposition.
References
Field, R. W. (1993). Descartes on the material falsity of ideas. The Philosophical Review
Doppelt, G. (1978). Incorrigibility and the mental. Australasian Journal of Philosophy.