Discourse on Method
and Meditations on First Philosophy
“The reading of all good books is like conversation with the finest men of past centuries.” ―
The foundational works of modern philosophy, René Descartes' Discourse on the Method (1637) and Meditations on First Philosophy (1641), signaled a dramatic turn toward rationalism and the growth of the scientific method. Their importance stems from Descartes' insistence that reason is the main source of knowledge, his systematic skepticism, and his effort to provide a solid basis for human comprehension.
Descartes describes his method of learning in Discourse on the Method, which is renowned for being summed up in the expression "Cogito, ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I am"). Its autobiographical style and its introduction of a methodical approach to doubt—questioning everything that can be questioned—to arrive at certain truths make this work noteworthy. He suggests four guidelines for thinking clearly: break problems down into their component parts, start with the simple and work your way up to the complex, accept only what is clear and distinct, and thoroughly review. His contributions to mathematics, such as Cartesian coordinates, and his goal of using reason to bridge the gap between philosophy and science are also reflected in the Discourse.
Thoughts on the first philosophy begins by exploring metaphysics and epistemology in greater detail and expands on this. In order to arrive at the conviction that he is a thinking being, Descartes methodically questions his senses, the outside world, and even the existence of his own body through six meditations. He then makes the case for God's existence (using the ontological and causal arguments) and asserts that knowledge is based on distinct and unclouded perceptions, which are ensured by an unfaithful God. The mind-body dualism, which distinguishes the material body from the immaterial mind, is a topic that is still relevant in both philosophy and science.
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