- Published: January 15, 2022
- Updated: January 15, 2022
- University / College: Pennsylvania State University
- Level: Undergraduate
- Language: English
- Downloads: 50
Meditation on First Philosophy, Rene Descartes Meditation on First Philosophy, Rene Descartes Summary
This treatise seeks to demonstrate to the reader that through philosophy, the existence of God, and the soul can be proven using ancient philosophical truths. Many are times that non-believers question the existence of God, or the human soul; this is because they believe that these two issues need to be proven, not by faith, but by logical understanding. However, theologians can affirm that the existence of God can be proven by both natural reason, and from the Sacred Scriptures. Citing from some of the best arguments put forth by previous philosophers, it is possible to prove beyond reasonable doubt that God exists. However, most people might not understand these arguments since they require a developed mindset, as is the case with geometry. To understand these arguments, one needs to give full attention to the philosophy, and free themselves from prejudicial thoughts.
Analysis
Rene Descartes believes that most people would rather seek out what is wrong than defend the truth which they cannot understand. The writer seeks to use philosophy as a tool to demonstrate that God and the Soul exist. People are usually blinded by their arrogance to defend what is wrong, than to seek out the truth. In geometry, something has to be proven before it is printed, in philosophy, however, critics seek to question the best arguments without giving proper thought to the writer’s agenda. It is not the philosophy that fails to prove itself, it is the readers that fail to give credit to the truth in the detail. Prejudicial mindsets make people see errors in philosophy, rather than admit to the facts. If absolute patronage can be given to this philosophy, it is possible for the reader to understand the truth in it, and even go ahead to correct the errors in the detail.
Reference
Descartes, R., & Cress, D. A. (1979). Meditations on first philosophy: in which the existence ofGod and the distinction of the soul from the body are demonstrated (3rd ed.). Indianapolis: Hackett Pub. Co..
