Descartes' Methodical Principles for Truth

Descartes' Methodical Principles

a) Rule of Evidence: One should not accept as true anything that is not presented to our minds as clear and distinct. This means accepting only what cannot possibly be otherwise.

b) Rule of Analysis: Break down complex problems into simpler ones until reaching their fundamental elements. For example, a car can be broken down into simple parts and then reassembled.

c) Rule of Synthesis: Recompose the elements, starting from the simplest, to discover how they relate in complex problems.

d) Rule of Enumeration: After examining each part and drawing a general conclusion, conduct thorough reviews and general surveys to avoid any errors.

The Essence of the Method

The core of the method lies in the first rule: knowledge is valid only when it is presented to the mind with clarity and distinction, a concept known as evidence. This contrasts with deductive reasoning. Descartes dismisses other paths to truth, such as arguments from authority or sensory evidence. Only when knowledge is clear and distinct can it be considered valid, ensuring truth and banishing error.

Clarity and Distinction

For Descartes, clarity means a proposition is readily apparent to the mind without disturbance, allowing for careful examination. Distinction occurs when the mind grasps that a proposition can only be as it is, without confusion with anything else. The criterion for certainty in knowledge, for Descartes, is its clarity and distinction – its evidence to reason.

Applying the Method

The other rules ensure that the first rule can be applied to matters not immediately grasped by intuition. Adhering strictly to the method guarantees the validity of our knowledge. The practical application involves systematic doubt, where anything with the slightest possibility of being false is discarded. This methodical doubt extends to all knowledge not yet proven clear and distinct by reason, even if previously accepted as valid.