DESCARTES’ METAPHYSICS
DESCARTES’ OBJECTIVES
1. Find Certainty
● He refused to accept the authority of
previous philosophers and the data
of the senses in the search for a
foundation for philosophy.
● He trusted only that which is clearly
and distinctly seen to be beyond any
doubt.
● He removed the layers of beliefs and
opinions that clouded his view of the
truth. Until only the simple fact of
doubting itself and the inescapable
inference that something exists is
doubting.
○ He arrived at the cogito by
doubting everything.
“From my childhood, I have been familiar
with letters; and as I was given to believe
that by their help a clear and certain
knowledge of all that is useful in life might
be acquired, I was ardently desirous of
instruction. But as soon as I had finished the
entire course of study, at the close of which
it is customary to be admitted into the order
of the learned, I completely changed my
opinion. For I found myself involved in so
many doubts and errors, that I was
convinced I had advanced no farther in all
my attempts at learning, than the discovery
at every turn of my own ignorance.”
Discourse on Method
● When he finished the course, he
found himself doubting all the things
he had learned; and therefore, he
has to start all over again – discard
everything that he has learned.
2. Fulfill the dream for a universal
science
● A universal science is a science that
will apply both to the natural
sciences, physical sciences,
theology, and religion.
● This required him to find a unified
set of principles from which he could
deduce all the answers to scientific
questions.
● His general physics is a rational
justification for a universal,
mathematical / quantitative
understanding of nature.
○ Descartes was also a
mathematician and physicist.
● His concern with scepticism in all its
forms was directed ast religious and
epistemological scepticism in
general.
○ There must be a general
doubt about the foundation of
our knowledge.
■ Not doubt the
existence of
something in front of
us (e.g. not doubt the
book we are holding)
○ Foundation of our knowledge
is our senses
● His philosophical method was also
intended to be a method for science.
● His first discussion of scientific
method is in an unfinished work:
Rules for the Direction of the Mind.
● The first 12 of the planned 36 rules
deal with the general aspects of his
proposed methodology, and are
considered early versions of
principles that were developed in his
later writings.
