Meditations on First Philosophy: with Selections from the Objections and Replies'It is some years now since I realized how many false opinions I had accepted as true from childhood onwards...I saw that at some stage in my life the whole structure would have to be utterly demolished' In Descartes's Meditations, one of the key texts of Western philosophy, the thinker rejects all his former beliefs in the quest for new certainties. Discovering his own existence as a thinking entity in the very exercise of doubt, he goes on to prove the existence of God, who guarantees his clear and distinct ideas as a means of access to the truth. He develops new conceptions of body and mind, capable of serving as foundations for the new science of nature. Subsequent philosophy has grappled with Descartes's legacy, questioning many of its conclusions and even his basic approach, but his arguments set the agenda for many of the greatest philosophical thinkers, and their fascination endures. This new translation includes the Third and Fourth Objections and Replies in full, and a selection from the rest of these exchanges with Descartes's contemporaries that helped to expound his philosophy. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more. |
Contents
| vi | |
| vii | |
| ix | |
Note on the Text and Translation | xli |
Select Bibliography | xlvi |
A Chronology of René Descartes | xlix |
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Meditations on First Philosophy: with Selections from the Objections and Replies René Descartes No preview available - 2008 |
Common terms and phrases
actually angles appear applies argue argument assert attributes believe belongs bodily body called Cambridge cause certain certainly clear clearly and distinctly complete conceive concept conclude consider contained contrary deceived demonstrated deny depend derived Descartes Descartes’s distinct distinguish doubt effect efficient cause equal error essence eternal everything exist experience explained fact faculty false follows formal give given God’s greater human idea imagination infinite intellect judge judgement kind knowledge known less light material matter means Meditation method mind motion nature never Objections ofthe opinions perceive perception perfect perhaps philosophers positive possible Press principles produced proof properties prove purely question readers reality realize reason reference Replies represents requires Second seems sensation sense separate shape simply soul speak substance sufficient suppose term thinking thing thought triangle true truth understand University whole