The Part 4 of the Discouse on Method by Descartes is a continuation of his preliminary discussion that exposed the philosophical explanations about concepts of logic, algebra, traditional philosophy, and theology. Descartes’ proposed methods incorporated the mathematical concepts with both basic knowledge and intuitive truths (Brians, 1998). His instigation of fresh concepts sweeping away the traditional philosophical prejudices had revolutionized human minds ideologies.
Descartes strongly asserted his philosophical dogmas about the existence of life through his powerful phrases, “I am thinking, therefore I exist” and “I think, therefore I am” (Bennett, 2015). There was a firm confirmation of the existence of man as he claimed this basic knowledge, referring it as a distinctively clear perception that is very certain and free from doubt. He also claimed and proved the existence of God in a circle of discussion via logical questions, where some were derived from the traditional scholastic perceptions incorporated with mathematical explanations such as geometry.
Descartes’ discussion flowing in a circle of logic was complicated to fathom and they were difficult to engage. However, it ended up with the conclusion about the acceptance of the existence of a divine God and the human soul. He indicted about the perfect state of God, and the imperfection of man. Where most of man’s foundations were products of his imaginations, man’s notions and ideas must be founded by the truth (Bennett, 2015). The philosophical statements of Descartes has influenced the human minds especially the western culture. His ideology was one of the many foundations that changed man’s perception that evidently moved especially during the industrial revolution. His axioms influenced many people leading them to the process about learning and thinking.
References:
Bennett, J. (2015). Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting One’s Reason and seeking
Truth in the Sciences. Early Modern texts.
Brians, P. (1998). “Rene Descartes: Discourse on Method (1637). Reading About the World, Vol.
2. Harcourt Brace College Publishing.
