Introduction by Marciano Guerrero
Early Life
René Descartes (1596 – 1650) was
born was born in La Haye, a town in central France. He was extensively
educated, first at a boarding school at the Jesuit Henri IV in La Flèche. Later
he earned a law degree at age 22, at the University of Poitiers; but he didn’t
practice law since an influential teacher persuaded him study and apply
mathematics and logic to understanding the natural world. Descartes later added
theology and medicine to his studies.
As he writes in his Discourse on Method, having made some
stunning discoveries, he felt that at age 22, it was too premature for him to
reveal his findings. Instead he traveled, joined the army for a brief time, saw
some battles and was introduced to Dutch scientist and philosopher Isaac
Beeckman, who would become for Descartes a very influential teacher.
His Mature Life
Having gained experience and
maturity, Descartes continuously work on developing his new method for finding
truthful knowledge. To doubt everything was at the core of his system,
rejecting everything that was not clear
and distinct to his understanding.
Yet, to doubting everything, someone
—a doubter or philosopher— must exist!
By following his method of total
doubt, Descartes rejected the Aristotelian and Scholastic traditions that had
been the dominant throughout the medieval times. By his new method not only did
he prove that he existed, but also the existence of God.
In 1649 Descartes moved to Stockholm to tutor Queen Christina in
philosophy. The Queen desired to begin her studies at 5 A.M., and Descartes was
unaccustomed to working at this early hour. The work, combined with the harsh
climate, had ill effects on Descartes’ health. He died of pneumonia in 1650.
About the Meditations
The Meditations is Descartes
best effort to prove that there are truths which one simply cannot doubt.
What is ironic is that while he intends to eradicate total skepticism,
he uses a method of systematic doubt. Yet, Descartes’ method is quite clever, involving
powerful skeptical hypotheses which call into doubt classes of knowledge claims by: the senses, the imagination, and
reason or understanding.
Gradually, Descartes attempts to demolish all accepted truths derived from the senses and the imagination,
and many of those which come from
reason.
Finally, Descartes concludes that he cannot be deceived into thinking
that he does not exist when in fact he does, because unless something existed
there would be nothing to deceive. This is a fact—one truth which he can know beyond
dispute.
To many, Descartes’ effort was extremely arrogant. Yet, it wasn’t out of
step with many other philosophers and scientists who perennially have looked
for a solid foundation for human knowledge.
The Meditations are repetitive and at times slow going, but not
abstruse. With a little effort the main ideas become accessible to everyone—not
just philosophers and the learned.
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