The Cartesian Method - Essay Example

Introduction Rene Descartes was a different philosopher in his own rights. He came up with the Cartesian method; this is a school of thought where he decided to doubteverything that he assumed to be in existence so as to see what cannot be doubted. Something that is beyond doubt is therefore assumed to be true. This was the first of its kind in philosophy, instead of sticking to the common paradigms that were the norms among his contemporaries and those who were there before him like Aristotle and Plato. Although he decided to doubt everything, at some point the Cartesian method hit a brick wall. This happens when he himself agrees to settle for an assumption in as far as the existence of God is concerned. He makes an inference by saying that God is infinite and that he cannot conceive a cause by which God is produced, this means that his perception of God is doubtable since he is unable to explain the origin of God (page 117). This explanation does not in any way prove the existence of God. It is probably the weakest argument in his work and which also shows either fear or reluctance on his part to challenge the existence of God. Assuming that he feared to challenge the existence of God, it can be argued that such utterances as to the existence of God may have resulted in severe punishment for him during his time. TheCartesian theory reaches its point of elasticity when Rene Descartes approaches the argument of the existence of God.  The Cartesian theory does not therefore suffice as an essential school of thought in totality due to the fact that it leaves a rather big loophole to convince the layman and other philosophers how God came into existence. Therefore his view of the existence of God does not satisfy any philosophical urge to explain the existence of God. Philosophy aims to answer questions and set the standards in the way people think and assess situations. Its nature is such that it is critical and rationale. This means that all possible weaknesses have to be nipped in the bud. Positing absolute certainty means that philosophy has to reach an acme beyond which no one can come up with any further argument. Philosophy relies on rational judgment, so any philosophical claim or statement should be critical and based on pure reason and should not lead in circles. Philosophy should have a definite end point, a point which leaves no room for question marks. This is why philosophy must be absolute. However, since it is based on rational judgment, this absolute certainty can be difficult to achieve because rational judgment is relative, depending on factors like the environment one grows up in and even the foundations and teachings of one’s faith. It is thus rational to argue that the Cartesian method does not fully satisfy the philosophical requirements since the existence of God according to this method, though based on rational judgment according to the creator of the theory, leaves many a question unanswered as to the how God came to being, something that even Rene Descartes himself cannot explain satisfactorily. Although the Cartesian method has been criticized by many people, it actually does hold water. It achieved absolute certainty when Rene Descartes argues that he cannot be deceived into thinking that he does not exist, because unless something existed there would be nothing to deceive. This implies that one has to exist so as to be deceived, you cannot deceive that which does not exist. Absolute certainty becomes achievable mainly up to the extent of concrete things, those that we can see and touch, but when it comes to abstract matters which are based in thought and ideas, like the existence of God, the answers and explanations put forward in relation to the Cartesian method sometimes do not achieve the threshold required. According to the theory of knowledge by Rene Descartes, natural light or by the light of nature is the clear and distinct perception which emphasizes the nature that has been made by God. Natural light seems like the basis of many of his arguments especially when he does not explain the why of existence of things. He embraces this existence unquestioningly by saying that what the natural light shows to be true can be in no degree doubtful. It can be deduced that the natural light functions by providing Rene Descartes with the reality which cannot and should not be doubted. The natural light explains or reveals the causes and effects theory. The natural light functions by teaching or revealing that ideas exist in him as pictures and images in their final form and therefore nothing greater or more perfect can exist. The natural light therefore functions as a dictate, as a proof of the existence of God. Descartes' most popular phrases is perhaps: I think, therefore I am (page 187). This is a statement that is self-sufficient. The rationale behind it is that that which does not exist cannot think. By the fact that one is thinking, it is enough proof that one exists. This is because a thought cannot exist in something or someone who is non-existent. This is the first indubitable truth since the proof of existence is an essence to any other thing in life. Rene Descartes decided to doubt anything and everything in life that could be doubted. But at the same time he was looking for an Archimedean point in his philosophy. This means that he was looking for an argument on which he could hinge his arguments and philosophies. There are many things which according to him were to be doubted, among them was that we could mistake dream for realities. He also doubted that maybe there is a powerful evil genius in existence that might be deceiving him on several things like mathematical concepts. He therefore argued by saying that after having reflected well, he came to the definitive conclusion that this proposition, I am, I exist, is necessarily true each time that  that I pronounce it or mentally conceive it (page 18). Therefore he achieved his Archimedean point by this argument in questioning the existence of anything and everything around him. He is sure that one thing exists, and that one thing is his mind. From this point, he successfully achieved his Archimedean point of his existence. Descartes bases his arguments of the existence of God on two theories; the theory of innate ideas and the doctrine of clear and distinct perception. His certainty of God's work is based in the idea of a supremely perfect being. He goes ahead to argue that the existence of anything cannot be excluded from the idea of God arguing that the existence of God is obvious and cannot be debated. This vision of God allows him a leeway in things whose existence he cannot explain, for example the existence of God. He carefully and cleverly avoids on expounding on the topic, providing himself an explanation of the why he thinks God exists and not how he thinks God exists or does not exist. He is thus 'set free' to refer to the existence of God as answers to philosophical arguments that may be difficult to explain. He takes a somehow Christian approach that God is supreme than any other being, and does not seek to challenge anything related to God. Rene Descartes therefore exhibits himself as a believer in a God who exists in another realm. This belief of God affects his works in such a way that he advises those who read his works that by not doing any wrong we will be more knowledgeable since all knowledge comes from God. This stance leaves him with the option of not pursuing further the theory of the existence of God but to leave it to all to God. He comes across as a 'sympathetic' philosopher in as far as unexplainable matters like the existence of God goes. Descartes argues that as the essence of material things is extension and the essence of mind is thought, the two must be distinct substances. This is what is known as the Cartesian Dualism of mind and body. In Cartesian mind-body dualism, Rene Descartes perceives mind and body as distinctly different entities. Although mind and body are different, there is an aspect that the two share. This is the aspect of one affecting the other whereby the body sends signals to the mind and the mind sends responses to the body. Thisis a connection that takes place in the pineal gland. The mind controls the cause while the body controls the movement. An example is when one wants to take a walk, the cause of taking a walk is decided in the mind while the action is executed by the body. These are two distinct functions exhibited by the body and the mind yet they are in perfect coordination of each other despite the fact the mind is distinct from the body.  This can and has been criticized since something cannot cause motion in another without the two having come into contact. The argument is that contact between the mind and body is impossible because the mind does not have a surface which can move to be in contact with the body, this is especially so in the case of voluntary body movement.   Works cited John C., Rrobert S., and DugaldM., Meditations on First Philosophy. New York: Oxford University Press Inc., 2008. Print Read More