Meditations On First Philosophy By Rene Descartes

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The book entitled Meditations on First Philosophy is a philosophical treatise of Rene Descartes. It is first published in 1641 in Latin. Then, it is translated to several languages such as French in the latter years. In his book Meditations on First Philosophy, Descartes tries to accomplish several subject concerns. Firstly, Descartes attempts to accomplish the use of methodological doubt to rid himself of all beliefs that could be false. Then, he arrives at particular beliefs that could not possibly be false. Next, he discovers a criterion of knowledge. Also, he proves that the mind is distinct from the body and also the existence of God. Simply reading and summarizing the book of Descartes, it is difficult for me to imagine the contents of …show more content…

In Philosophy, I learned that to be a human being, one must need to be rational, and to be rational is to philosophize. The book Meditation of First Philosophy is a journal about his meditation, about his life. Since it is a journal and it is considered to be an autobiography of his life, we can conclude from his book that he spent several years of his life to philosophical inquiry. He was in quest in searching for the truth. During his life, he exercised his nature as thinking human being. Secondly, his passion in searching for the absolute certainty amazed me because his passion proves that he is committed on what he is doing. His passion causes him to pursue and reach his goal. I believe that this journal of him does not happen in one day or in one month. Hence, I believe his meditation lasted for long time so that he would be sure of what he is claiming …show more content…

However, the permanent changes are only applicable to physical objects. In Descartes argument, he observes a piece of wax, from a hive, and using his judgment and senses, analyzes the structure and properties of the wax. This argument is an attempt to prove that the essential properties of things are not perceived through the senses, but through the mind. With this, Descartes reminds me as a human being to avoid being dependent to the senses. Though through matter by which we can be able to know something, depending on our senses is sometimes unreliable. The most interesting part of this discussion is that despite of the changing characteristics of physical objects, there will still be that character that will be stayed the

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