“Discourse on the Method” by Rene Descartes Essay

Discourse on the Method is Descartes attempt to explain his regularity of argument through eve the most difficult of problems. He illustrates the development of this method through brief autobiographical sketches interspersed with philosophical arguments.Part 1 contains discordant considerations concerning the sciences. First, all people possess good sense, the ability to distinguish righteousness from fiction. Therefore, it is not a lack of ability that obstructs people but their calamity to follow the correct path of thought. The use of a method git elevate an average mind above the rest, and Descartes considered himself a typical mind improved by the use of his method. Descartes benefited from a superior education, but he believed that book learning also clouded his mind. After leaving school, he set off traveling to learn from the great book of the initiation with an unclouded mind. He comes to the conclusion that all people yield a natural lighten that understructure be obscured by education and that it is as important to study matchlessself as it is to study the world.In subroutine 2, Descartes describes his manifestation in the stove-heated room. Contemplating various subjects, he hits on the idea that the works of individuals ar superior to those conceived by committee because an individuals work follows one plan, with all elements working toward the same end. He considers that the science he wise to(p) as a boy is likely flawed because it consists of the ideas of many varied men from various eras.Keeping in mind what he has acquire of logic, geometry, and algebra, he sets d take the following rules (1) to never believe anything unless he can prove it himself (2) to reduce every problem to its simplest parts (3) to always be orderly in his thoughts and proceed from the simplest part to the most difficult and (4) to always, when solve a problem, create a long chain of reasoning and cater nothing out. He immediately finds this method effective in solution problems that he had found too difficult before. Still fearing that his own misconceptions index be getting in the way of pure reason, he decides to consistently eliminate all his wrong opinions and use his new method exclusively.In part 3, Descartes puts forth a provisional moral code to work by whilerethinking his views (1) to obey the rules and customs of his country and his religion and never take an extreme opinion (2) to be decisive and stick with his decisions, even if some doubts linger (3) to try to change himself, not the world and (4) to witness all the professions in the world and try to figure out what the take up one is. Not surprising, Descartes determines that reasoning and searching for the truth is, if not the highest calling, at least extremely useful. For many years after his revelation, Descartes traveled widely and gained a reputation for wisdom, then retired to examine his thoughts in solitude.In part 4, Descartes offers proofs of t he existence of the soul and of God. Contemplating the nature of dreams and the unreliability of the senses, he becomes aware of his own process of thinking and realizes it is proof of his existence I think, therefore I exist (Cogito ergo sum). He also concludes that the soul is separate from the automobile trunk based on the unreliability of the senses as compared with pure reason. His own doubts happen him to believe that he is im entire, yet his ability to conceive of perfection indicates that something perfect must exist outside of himnamely, God. He reasons that all good things in the world must stem from God, as must all go off and distinct thoughts.Part 5 moves from discussion of a theory of light to theories somewhat human anatomy. Descartes considers the fact that animals have many of the same organs as humans yet lack powers of speech or reason. He takes this difference to be evidence of humankinds rational soul. He considers the mysterious connection of the soul to th e body and concludes that the soul must have a life outside the body. Therefore it must not dissect when the body dies. Because he cannot conceive of a way that the soul could pop off or be killed, he is forced to conclude that the soul is immortal.In part 6, Descartes cautiously touches on possible conflicts with the church over his ideas about physical science. Finally, he implores his readers to read carefully, apologizes for writing in French or else than Latin, and vows to shun fame and fortune in the name of pursuing truth and knowledge.