Descartes" "Six Meditations

Introduction

Descartes, an intelligent man of many talents, believed that knowledge came from the mind and that through self-reflection, more knowledge could be gained and built upon. Through Descartes’s own journey to gain more knowledge, he wrote his Six Meditations. Within these six meditations, he forms a solid foundation upon which to lay his reasoning, since he believes that with a stable foundation, knowledge can grow and be expanded. Descartes formed the basis for what modern philosophy currently is. His work continues to inspire philosophers and thinkers in their pursuit of understanding the nature of reality and the mind.

Meditation I: Skepticism and Doubt

In Meditation 1, Descartes ushers in the use of skepticism within his writings. Descartes begins to form the base for his thoughts by employing the method of doubt. He uses this method to cast doubt on all his beliefs while including “matters which are not entirely certain and indubitable than from those which appear to me manifestly to be false”, and rejecting them if even an ounce of doubt is suspected to be within it (Descartes, 1641, p. 6). After discarding the beliefs that he believes are filled with doubt, he begins to build up his foundation with true knowledge. Through the exploration of his internal senses and self-doubt, Descartes reveals that there is a possibility that he is perhaps dreaming. This leads to the point that a person might have trouble distinguishing reality from dreams. This exploration of doubt serves as a fundamental tool in philosophy, encouraging critical thinking and questioning of assumptions.

Reality and Dreams

While talking about reality and dreams, Descartes says, “How often has it happened to me that in the night I dreamt that I found myself in this particular place, that I was dressed and seated near the fire, whilst in reality I was lying undressed in bed! At this moment it does indeed seem to me that it is with eyes awake that I am looking at this paper; that this head which I move is not asleep, that it is deliberately and of set purpose that I extend my hand and perceive it; what happens in sleep does not appear so clear nor so distinct as does all this” (Descartes, 1641, p. 7). This highlights the difficulty in distinguishing between the conscious experience of reality and the vivid nature of dreams, challenging the reader to reflect on their own perceptions and the reliability of their senses.

Meditation II: Doubt About God

While doubting all of his beliefs, Descartes eventually questions what he believes about God. He introduces his beliefs about God while using skepticism by introducing the idea of God being a powerful deceiver. “I shall then suppose, not that God who is supremely good and the fountain of truth, but some evil genius not less powerful than deceitful, has employed his whole energies in deceiving me” (Descartes, 1641, p. 8). While discussing the idea that God is a deceiver, Descartes presents the notion that God is actually a mischievous demon whose intention is to trick and deceive Descartes and his beliefs. This radical skepticism serves as a means to strip away preconceived notions and ultimately arrive at foundational truths that are beyond doubt.

Conclusion

Descartes’s meditations challenge the reader to engage in profound self-reflection and to question the nature of reality, knowledge, and belief. By embracing skepticism and doubt, he provides a framework for philosophical inquiry that seeks to uncover the indubitable truths that form the basis of human understanding. His work remains a cornerstone of philosophical thought, encouraging individuals to critically examine their beliefs and the world around them.

References

Descartes, R. (1641). Meditations on First Philosophy. In The Philosophical Writings of Descartes (Vol. 2, J. Cottingham, R. Stoothoff, & D. Murdoch, Trans.). Cambridge University Press.