The field of philosophy explores the connection and relations between fundamental issues and problems in life. It delves into the realms of knowledge and conceptualization of ideas, the mind, existence, reasons and communication. Philosophy offers critical and analytical approaches to coming up with rational decisions. This brief discourse is about how Descartes discovers his existence, the relationship between the body and soul and the eventual discovery by Descartes that everything conceived clearly and distinctly is always true.
Descartes experience in a school that was celebrated shaped his perceptions and views about himself. Descartes believes that even though he could not consider himself the best in school, there were other people who looked up to him. Descartes has doubts about himself at first. The lingering doubts about his ability are already proving that that which he doubting exists. Philosophically, something can only be considered as real if the mind can conceive it. If doubts are there about something, then that something exists. This is because there can be no doubt about something that does not exist. These doubts are what makes Descartes discover that he exists and spur him towards discovering his abilities. It is in the same breath that Descartes discovers the existence of God. He is doubtful about theology and various opinions about heaven. Descartes accepts that heaven is there but the demands of heaven limit learned people from getting there. This shows that Descartes believes in a supernatural being but still has doubts about his future in inheriting the perceived kingdom of God. He wanted to explore the fields of theology, law and even medicine as a cushion so that other people cannot deceive him about concepts and issues in those fields. Descartes discovers his rightful position in society after struggling with various fields. When Descartes concentrates in the field of poetry, he becomes exceptional in this field. He believes that poetry is not about books, but rather the ability of the mind. This highlights Descartes discovery of who he was and influence his subsequent decisions and judgment. We must use morals from other people as a yardstick to measure our own frailties. This reinforces the need for individuals to discover their potential and respective abilities to enable them fit in society. Professions and activities that people engage in must be by choice and preferences, rather than coercion.
Descartes is skeptical about heaven. In drawing the relationship between the body and soul, Descartes argues that once the body is enriched with knowledge and understanding of the circumstances, it becomes difficult to conceptualize heaven. He says that people who are not learned are likely to go to heaven. According to Descartes, the body is corrupted by knowledge and, therefore, the soul fails. The purity of the soul as a prerequisite of going to heaven is limited and demonized by knowledge. Those with little knowledge have a pure body and, therefore, a pure soul.
Descartes believes that truth must be proved on the basis of consistency. He asserts that there may be differing opinions by learned people. However, he states that there can only be one of the propositions as true. In essence, Descartes considers conception of any opinion that is distinct from others that becomes truth. He considers anything that is probable as false.
Descartes makes errors of judgment. He considered anything that is hypothetical as false. This is an error because certain hypotheses can be proved as true. It is also wrong for Descartes to say that people in ancient times were pagans and built their structures on weak foundations. These people had certain beings they considered were supernatural and some of the ancient structures still exist. He also considers medicine and law as deceptive fields. This is not true because certain concepts in these fields are hinged on realities and can be proved as true.
Works Cited
Descartes, Rene. Discourse on Method. Ed. Frank Hunt and Pamela Kraus. Trans. Richard Kennington. Newburyport: Focus Publishing Company, 2007print.
