1. First explain why Descartes considers “I am, I exist” as a model of clear and distinct knowledge.
2. Then consider Spinoza’s own explanation of distinct — or “adequate” — knowledge: both the meaning of the term and its application to the different kinds of knowledge he distinguishes in Ethics part II;
3. Finally, say whether (or to what extent) he would deem a knowledge of one’s own existence distinct or “adequate”, and why. Even if you think that he’d accept Descartes’s claim that this knowledge is distinct or adequate, you should consider whether he’d accept it for the same reason that Descartes does. And if you don’t think he’d accept the Meditator’s claim, does this mean that we can’t be certain whether we ourselves exist?
4. Be sure to focus on the assigned question. There’s no need to include summaries of passages from Descartes or Spinoza that don’t bear directly on the question of the adequacy of the knowledge of one’s own existence.
5. Keep it simple. Generally speaking, your essay should make sense to a person of average intelligence with little or no experience in philosophy.