Discourse on Method and MeditationsIs it possible to be certain of anything? If so, how? The father of modern philosophy and the founder of rational method in philosophical thought, René Descartes (1596–1650) sought the answers to these questions and in doing so, addressed the most important of methods of thinking and understanding truth. In Discourse on Method, he applies a scientific approach to philosophy that comprises four principles: to accept only what reason recognizes as "clear and distinct"; to analyze complex ideas by dividing them into smaller elements; to reconstruct the ideas; and to make accurate and complete enumerations of the data. His Meditations proceed according to this method, exploring the mind/body distinction, the nature of truth and error, the existence of God, and the essence of material things. |
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Page 3
... appears too long to be read all at once, it may be separated into six portions. And in the first there will be found various considerations respecting the sciences; in the second, the prencipal rules regarding the Method which the ...
... appears too long to be read all at once, it may be separated into six portions. And in the first there will be found various considerations respecting the sciences; in the second, the prencipal rules regarding the Method which the ...
Page 4
... appears to me I have the means of gradually increasing my knowledge and of little by little raising it to the highest possible point which the mediocrity of my talents and the brief duration of my life can permit me to reach. For I have ...
... appears to me I have the means of gradually increasing my knowledge and of little by little raising it to the highest possible point which the mediocrity of my talents and the brief duration of my life can permit me to reach. For I have ...
Page 13
... appear to have no actual use, the former is always so restricted to the consideration of symbols that it cannot exercise the Understanding without greatly fatiguing the Imagination ; and in the latter one id so subjected to certain ...
... appear to have no actual use, the former is always so restricted to the consideration of symbols that it cannot exercise the Understanding without greatly fatiguing the Imagination ; and in the latter one id so subjected to certain ...
Page 15
... , it seemed to me that I was able to determine in the case of those of which I was still ignorant, by what means, and in how far, it was possible to solve them. In this I might perhaps appear to yon. Discourse. on. Method. 15.
... , it seemed to me that I was able to determine in the case of those of which I was still ignorant, by what means, and in how far, it was possible to solve them. In this I might perhaps appear to yon. Discourse. on. Method. 15.
Page 16
René Descartes. solve them. In this I might perhaps appear to yon to be very vain if yon did not remember that having but one truth to discover in respect to each matter, whoever succeeds in finding it knows in its regard as much as can ...
René Descartes. solve them. In this I might perhaps appear to yon to be very vain if yon did not remember that having but one truth to discover in respect to each matter, whoever succeeds in finding it knows in its regard as much as can ...
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Discourse on Method and Meditations Rene Descartes,Elizabeth Sanderson Haldane,G. R. T. Ross Limited preview - 2003 |
Common terms and phrases
able according acquire action already appear artery assured begin believe better blood body called cause certain certainly clear clearly composed conceive conclude consider contained contrary corporeal deceived demonstrations depend derive desire difficulties discover distinct distinctly doubt easily effect entirely error evident examine example excepting existence experience explained fact faculty false feel figure finally follow formerly further give given greater hand heart heat human idea ignorant imagine inasmuch judge judgment knowledge known learned least less light likewise matter means Method mind movement nature necessary never nevertheless objects observed once opinions pain particular pass perceive perfect perhaps persuaded pertain PHILOSOPHY possess possibly present principles proceed produced reality reason recognise regard remains remarked represent sciences seems senses similar simple soul speak substance sufficient suppose teaches things thought true truth understand unless whole wish