Pre & Meditations 1-2 Notes Descartes - Descartes...

1/30/11 Descartes
Notes on: Letters of Dedication, Preface to the Reader, and Synopsis
Letter of Dedication:
-purpose: to state the goal of the meditations
-God and soul
-should be demonstrated by philosophy, not theology
-must be proved by natural reason to convince unbelievers
-few would prefer what is right over what is useful without fear of God/knowledge of
afterlife
-circular reasoning for faith in God
-must believe in God because holy scriptures say so, and we must believe holy
scriptures because they are given by God
-since faith is gift from God, he can give grace to know he exists
-theology proves God easier to know than some earthly creatures
-so easy that unbelievers are blameworthy
-scriptures seem to say that reasons for God can be drawn from one’s own mind
-Descartes seeks to prove this
-soul is similarly asserted to be unknown
-faith alone holds contrary position, that soul does not die w/ body
(Descartes wants to seek this as well)
-many refuse to believe that God exists and that the mind and body are separate
-up until now, no one can prove either
-seeks to prove/demonstrate so plainly as can’t be refuted
(no greater task in philosophy than to demonstrate arguments)
-others urged him to use his method that had proved successful
-chooses chief/primary arguments to prove more strongly as truths/demonstrations
-his assertions are as certain as geometry
-he is concerned that some will not be able to adequately perceive them
(b/c they are lengthy and demand mind free of prejudices and that can
disassociate itself from the senses)
-geometry minded people: most side with the false (wanting to show their understanding
of it) rather than the side of denying the true
-not true for philosophy
-in philosophy: everything can be defended from either side so few seek the truth but
rather arrogantly challenge the best arguments and claim profundity
-wants these theologians of Paris’ ‘patronage:’
-they will critique the errors in the work
-add what is missing, perfect what needs perfecting, discuss what needs
discussing
-publicly attest that these arguments are the best
-then all misconceptions in men’s minds of these concepts will be erased
-the truth of these arguments will make them agree with their assertion
-atheists will bend under their authority and acquiesce
-goal of meditations: no one will again doubt existence of God or separation of mind/soul
and body

Preface to the Reader:
-previous work has touched on issues of God and human mind
-with purpose not of treating them precisely but only to offer sample and learn
from readers’ opinions how they should be treated in future
-thought issues so important, necessitated more than one review/treatment
-his chosen path not intended to be example for others to take
(why it was a short treatment, longer would lead to others following suit)
-only two worthy objections to his treatment of these issues
(both of which will be responded to in more length later)
-first objection = from mind being a thinking thing, does not follow that it’s