Rules for the Direction of the Mind: Discourse on the Method : Meditations on First Philosophy : Objections Against the Meditations and Replies : The GeometryIs 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 433
... according to the guidance of reason ( Prop . 3 , pt . 3 ) , and there- fore , whatever follows from human nature , in so far as it is determined by reason ( Def . 2 , pt . 3 ) , must be understood through human nature alone as through ...
... according to the guidance of reason ( Prop . 3 , pt . 3 ) , and there- fore , whatever follows from human nature , in so far as it is determined by reason ( Def . 2 , pt . 3 ) , must be understood through human nature alone as through ...
Page 434
... according to the guidance of reason ( Prop . 24 , pt . 4 ) , and every effort which we make through reason is an effort to understand ( Prop . 26 , pt . 4 ) , and therefore ( Prop . 28 , pt . 4 ) the highest good of those who follow ...
... according to the guidance of reason ( Prop . 24 , pt . 4 ) , and every effort which we make through reason is an effort to understand ( Prop . 26 , pt . 4 ) , and therefore ( Prop . 28 , pt . 4 ) the highest good of those who follow ...
Page 440
... according to the guidance of reason , that is to say , become free men , and enjoy the life of the blessed . PROP . 55. The greatest pride or the greatest de- spondency is the greatest ignorance of one's self . Demonst . This is evident ...
... according to the guidance of reason , that is to say , become free men , and enjoy the life of the blessed . PROP . 55. The greatest pride or the greatest de- spondency is the greatest ignorance of one's self . Demonst . This is evident ...
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¹Cf able absolutely infinite action affect affirm angles argument attribute believe called ceived certainly chiliagon clear and distinct clearly and distinctly conceived conic sections consequently consider contrary corporeal curve deceived Demonst deny Descartes desire determined dioptrics Discourse on Method discover doubt dream easily efficient cause endeavour equal equation error essence everything evil existence existence of God explained external body fact faculty false fear finite follows formal cause given greater hatred Hence human body human mind hyperbola idea imagine infinite intellect judge judgment knowledge latus rectum less lines matter means Meditation merely method mode motion nature necessarily never nevertheless object opinions parabola perceive perfect philosophy possess proposition prove Q.E.D. Corol Q.E.D. PROP Q.E.D. Schol reality reason reply say Prop scholium sense sorrow soul substance syllogism tain term thinking thing thought tion triangle true truth understand unless words