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 113
... argument as his own , nor does he draw the same conclusion from it ; con- sequently there is nothing here in which I am at variance with the Angelic Doctor . He him- self asked whether the existence of God is in itself known to man ...
... argument as his own , nor does he draw the same conclusion from it ; con- sequently there is nothing here in which I am at variance with the Angelic Doctor . He him- self asked whether the existence of God is in itself known to man ...
Page 118
... argument — We may truly af- firm of anything , that which we clearly and distinctively perceive to belong to its true and immutable nature ; but ( after we have investi- gated with sufficient accuracy what God is ) we clearly and ...
... argument — We may truly af- firm of anything , that which we clearly and distinctively perceive to belong to its true and immutable nature ; but ( after we have investi- gated with sufficient accuracy what God is ) we clearly and ...
Page 212
... arguments to decide this , thus making an appeal merely to prejudiced beliefs , you show much more clearly that you ... argument . But here you have used as an illustration the finger which does not strike itself and the eye which does ...
... arguments to decide this , thus making an appeal merely to prejudiced beliefs , you show much more clearly that you ... argument . But here you have used as an illustration the finger which does not strike itself and the eye which does ...
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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