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 37
... given magnitudes as lines . But we imagine a rectangle to be constructed out of them ; for , if we multiply a by b ... given divisor , so is B , say 7 , the quaesitum , to ab , i.e. 35 , the given dividend , we have on this occasion an ...
... given magnitudes as lines . But we imagine a rectangle to be constructed out of them ; for , if we multiply a by b ... given divisor , so is B , say 7 , the quaesitum , to ab , i.e. 35 , the given dividend , we have on this occasion an ...
Page 301
... given lines , the required points can always be found by means of the geometry of solid loci , that is , by using some one of the three conic sections . Here , again , there is an exception in the case of nine parallel lines . For this ...
... given lines , the required points can always be found by means of the geometry of solid loci , that is , by using some one of the three conic sections . Here , again , there is an exception in the case of nine parallel lines . For this ...
Page 308
... given lines the equation is at most a biquadratic , and there- fore the resulting curve belongs to Class II or Class I. When there are not more than twelve given lines , the equation is of the sixth degree or lower , and therefore the ...
... given lines the equation is at most a biquadratic , and there- fore the resulting curve belongs to Class II or Class I. When there are not more than twelve given lines , the equation is of the sixth degree or lower , and therefore the ...
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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