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. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 65
Page 112
... infinite quâ infinite is in nowise com- prehended , but that nevertheless it is under- stood , in so far as clearly and distinctly to un- derstand a thing to be such that no limits can be found in it is to understand clearly that it is ...
... infinite quâ infinite is in nowise com- prehended , but that nevertheless it is under- stood , in so far as clearly and distinctly to un- derstand a thing to be such that no limits can be found in it is to understand clearly that it is ...
Page 186
... infinite.1 But you do not possess for that reason any idea of an infinite substance , except in a ver- bal sense , and in the way in which men are said to comprehend ( which is really not to compre- hend ) the infinite . Hence there is ...
... infinite.1 But you do not possess for that reason any idea of an infinite substance , except in a ver- bal sense , and in the way in which men are said to comprehend ( which is really not to compre- hend ) the infinite . Hence there is ...
Page 362
... infinite numbers of things in infinite ways ( that is to say , all things which can be conceived by the infinite intellect ) must follow . Demonst . This proposition must be plain to every one who considers that from the given ...
... infinite numbers of things in infinite ways ( that is to say , all things which can be conceived by the infinite intellect ) must follow . Demonst . This proposition must be plain to every one who considers that from the given ...
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
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