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 139
... substances.1 I have frequently remarked above that there is no idea either of God or of the soul ; I now add that there is no idea of substance . For substance ( the substance that is a material , subject to acci- dents and changes ) is ...
... substances.1 I have frequently remarked above that there is no idea either of God or of the soul ; I now add that there is no idea of substance . For substance ( the substance that is a material , subject to acci- dents and changes ) is ...
Page 255
... substance , existed , I formed a clear and distinct concept of thinking substance . " Goodness , gracious ! What a subtle and acute fellow you are ! How in a moment you penetrate and traverse everything which is , and everything which ...
... substance , existed , I formed a clear and distinct concept of thinking substance . " Goodness , gracious ! What a subtle and acute fellow you are ! How in a moment you penetrate and traverse everything which is , and everything which ...
Page 356
... substance of the same attribute . But if they are distinguished by difference of affections , since substance is prior by nature to its affec- tions ( Prop . 1 ) , the affections therefore being placed on one side , and the substance ...
... substance of the same attribute . But if they are distinguished by difference of affections , since substance is prior by nature to its affec- tions ( Prop . 1 ) , the affections therefore being placed on one side , and the substance ...
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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