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 84
... reality in itself than those ideas by which finite substances are represented . Now it is manifest by the natural light that there must at least be as much reality in the efficient and total cause as in its effect . For , pray , whence ...
... reality in itself than those ideas by which finite substances are represented . Now it is manifest by the natural light that there must at least be as much reality in the efficient and total cause as in its effect . For , pray , whence ...
Page 182
... reality in it- self than those by which finite substances are represented.1 Here you go at such a great pace that we must arrest your course for a little . I do not indeed have any difficulty about that which you call objective reality ...
... reality in it- self than those by which finite substances are represented.1 Here you go at such a great pace that we must arrest your course for a little . I do not indeed have any difficulty about that which you call objective reality ...
Page 184
... reality of an idea with my formal reality or with my substance , and the objective reality of an idea with the proportion prevailing between my members or my external figure and form . You , however , prefer to compare the objective reality ...
... reality of an idea with my formal reality or with my substance , and the objective reality of an idea with the proportion prevailing between my members or my external figure and form . You , however , prefer to compare the objective reality ...
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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