Descartes' Method: Metaphysics and Dualism

Descartes' Discourse on Method

Descartes' Discourse on Method aimed to develop objective metaphysics. After the new science, metaphysical sciences did not evolve. Metaphysical roots support physical science. Mathematics is an introduction to metaphysics.

Deductive Method in Metaphysics

1. Criteria of certainty
2. Analysis
3. Synthesis
4. Revision and enumeration

Methodical Doubt

Methodical doubt involves looking for clear and distinct ideas. Sources of doubt include:

1. The senses
2. Wakefulness and sleep
3. The evil genius

Acquired, Artificial, and Innate Ideas

1. Acquired ideas: Thinking substance (outside world)
2. Artificial ideas: Human invention
3. Innate ideas: Not from my reality, but of foreign origin or infinite perfection, i.e., God.

Infinite perfection substance is not deceiving. Extensive substance is the physical world, described in primary qualities (extension, movement, figure) and secondary qualities (sensory basis).

Mechanicism

Mechanicism is a design that accounts for extension, physical shape, and movement.

Descartes and Galileo

The difference between Descartes and Galileo lies in their approach to the principles of fundamental physics. Descartes considered them pure mental constructions, while Galileo believed they resulted from experience.

Plato and Descartes: Dualism

Plato's philosophy is dualistic, involving the separation of body and soul. This dualism influenced later authors, such as St. Augustine and medieval Christian doctrine. There is an issue regarding the body and soul because the soul is perfect. Does Plato's soul accept that it also depends on the body? Plato says that this relationship between body and soul is accidental and that man's mission is to defend himself from the body, which represents a prison.

Descartes' Dualism

For Descartes, man consists of two entities: mind and matter. The soul (thought) and the body (material) are evident entities by themselves, really different, and both make up man. Thinking is fundamental, and thought consists of two faculties: understanding and will. Cartesian dualist theory concerns man and maintains that there is also another substance, God, that guarantees the operation and order of the cosmos.

St. Anselm: Ontological Argument

St. Anselm is a leading author who provides the ontological argument. Initially, he did not call it that, but later Locke and Hume took this argument and analyzed its importance. St. Anselm sought to discover religious truths through reason. He aimed to show the existence of God, arguing that everything we think of exists somewhere. Nobody can think of something that does not exist. Everyone has a concept of God inside, and if we have a concept of God, it is because we have the image of God. We know it is God because we might have seen God or because God has put the idea of Himself in us. Therefore, God exists.