Rene Descartes
Uploaded by professorzo on Feb 06, 2016
Surprise Ending: Discourse on the Method
Lorenzo Maurice Davis
Strayer University
Anthony McCormack
Humanities 112
February 1st, 2016
Perhaps there are no other philosophers and mathematicians that contributed to the development of the scientific method than that of Rene Descartes (1637). Indeed, it is generally accepted within the scientific community that “Descartes is the forerunner of deductive reasoning. Deductive logic can be defined as a process in which on test general propositions to arrive at specific results. The deductive tradition is often associated with the positivist or post positivist school of thought, which focuses on universal truths using a quantitative research approach. This paper attempts to analyze the reliability and validity of Rene Descartes surprise ending or conclusion about the nature of existence and of God.
In his Discourse on Methods, Descartes (2007) begins with the basic presumption of doubt amongst all phenomena that can be directly observed through the senses. Employing a rather metaphysical argument, Descartes reach a point of realization when he accepted his own thinking as proof of his existence. The philosopher constructed two fundamental principles: “I think, therefore I am.” These two principles inevitably came as a surprise in that while on the surface Descartes methods appear to be based entirely on a subjective experience, I can acknowledge that to some degree his propositions have universal application. The connection between thinking and existence is of such critical importance and relevance to Descartes proof of much grander phenomena: the ontology of God.
Descartes essentially uses the analogy of geometry as his proof for the existence of God; thus, just like a geometrical triangle has three parts to complete its whole; man is alive because God created him to be. Believing in the idea of an imperfect, infinite being is the grandeur proof regarding the ontology of God. Descartes process of thought serves as a basis for universal and quantifiable arguments, and I find his propositions highly convincing.
The surprise ending of Descartes discourse on methods inevitably leaves no doubt in my mind regarding the existence of God: after all, this notable philosopher incorporated the mathematical language of science to prove the nature of existence upon which some skeptics would still contend that Descartes arguments were situated upon relativistic grounds. Nevertheless, we cannot forget the anecdotal experiences and reports from individuals who were fortunate enough to receive direct revelation from the gods that they profess to worship; such personal accounts can spark a revolutionary...