Descartes' Method and the Ontological Argument: Evidence & Truth

Method

The method has two advantages. 1) It will avoid error. 2) It is not a simple method of exhibition or demonstration; it can increase knowledge but it is an invidiendi ars. All the rules of method are summarized in these four, as in The Discourse on Method: evidence, analysis, synthesis and checks. The method meets the desire to discard: it must be easy and easy to follow; therefore it is based on the method of resolution and composition, leading to a conceptual analysis and a purely rational deduction. In this sense the method is directly related to the deductive method of Euclid, a long sequence of deductions from a few simple and obvious principles.

First Rule

The first rule of method implies absolute confidence in reason. Reason can be deflected by prejudice, precipitation, or concerns. So the first rule says that we should accept as true only that which occurs with absolute certainty; this certainty is given only in intuition, a rational act by which the mind sees right away a clear and distinct idea. Ideas intuited are immediately obvious: they must be clear and distinct. Descartes introduces a new concept of truth.

Second and Third Rule

The second and third rules are presented as follows: to proceed to the truth one must act when in possession of clear thinking. This is an analysis–synthesis procedure. The problem to be studied has to be analyzed to find its simplest parts and synthesized in an orderly process of deduction to other ideas (Ennead: deductive synthesis).

Fourth Rule

Intuitive evidence guarantees the truth of our knowledge. Descartes requires that checks be made and revisions applied to the synthetic process so that we can have intuitive evidence of the whole.

Ontological Argument

It was written by the philosopher and monk St. Anselm of Canterbury, and it demonstrates the existence of God. Ontology is the science of being. The idea of God exists in someone, and concepts that we have arise because we see or grasp things, but the idea of God does not arise from the same sources. Therefore, someone had to place this idea in our minds, and that someone is God. God could deceive, but if God were perfect, God would not deceive us. Therefore, God does not deceive us. If we want to attain knowledge, we must not deceive ourselves or make mistakes, and we cannot err or deceive if we follow the rules of the method.

Rules of the Method

• Evidence: Never acknowledge something as true without evidence; know what is said and carefully avoid precipitation and prejudice.
• Analysis: Divide each problem into as many parts as possible, and examine each part to find the best solution.
• Synthesis (Summary): Direct my thoughts, starting with the simplest and easiest-to-understand objects, and move gradually to knowledge of the more complex.
• Checks: Make lists and reviews so as not to forget anything; perform revisions and verifications of the synthetic process.