Descartes' six meditations on God and the soul

¶ … Descartes "Meditations..."

Meditations on First Philosophy - a Summary

In which the existence of God and the immortality of the soul are demonstrated)

This philosophical essay was written by Rene Descartes (1596-1650) in 1641. Descartes, also known for his famous "I think, therefore I am" theory, was also a mathematician and scientist. He is recognized as the father of both modern philosophy and modern scientific method. In addition, this genius has also been regarded as the originator of modern physiological psychology and the creator of analytical geometry.

Descartes' book contains six meditations. His first step is to remove belief in all things that cannot be proven true. Then he proceeds to attempt to confirm what might be known for certain.

In his preface to the Meditations, Descartes states the two main issues he is addressing more than any others: "I have always considered that the two questions respecting God and the Soul were the chief of those that ought to be demonstrated by philosophical rather than theological argument." He was well aware of all of the objections to his reasoning and addressed that subject repeatedly and emphatically in his preface. However, with a touch of humor he announces he will proceed anyway "without however expecting any praise from the vulgar and without the hope that my book will have many readers."

First Meditation

Descartes, through the "meditator" addresses those things which may be called into doubt. He talks about his own skepticism and asks how he (or anyone else) can be sure of anything. He then presents creative and generally very peculiar thoughts justifying a mistrust of one's senses.

Some experts believe that this meditation is an argument for and about skepticism itself. Descartes, as far as is known, was the first philosopher to question how man can be certain of anything.

Fourth Meditation

If his claims in the Third Meditation are true that God is the causation of everything, then how is there room for error, since God is perfection. After a long argument with himself, he determines that God's gifts to man are perfect, but it is the use of those gifts that cause the errors.

Fifth Meditation

He attempts to again prove God's existence "a priori," that is, without evidence of it.

Sixth Meditation

Since mathematics can prove that material objects are feasible, Descartes acknowledges that, since he understands the principles of math, then material objects exist.

The Essence

Descartes thoughts in this treatise are considered, by many, to be the beginnings of modern philosophy. He presents discussions on dualism, the role of skepticism, and the existence of God. Most of all, he inspired thought and doubt, curiosity and criticism, and encouraged people to think a completely new way about the existence of themselves, of God, and of their own soul.