3. Which of the following does Descartes argue shows that even mathematical
truths are not certain?
| A. People in another world could not be expected to know maths |
B. The possibility of there being an Evil Demon |
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| C. Insanity |
D. Dreaming |
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I don't think he says (A) anywhere. He explicitly says mathematics is not flouted
even in dreams. By implication, he thinks the distortion of insanity do not
run as far as disting mathematical truths. But he does say, in an argument not
listed in these four options, that we sometimes make mistakes in maths and that
this argues against our being able to be absolutely certain of mathematical
truths. He also invokes the evil demon to this end. So: (B) is the answer.
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