Foundations of Descartes’ Philosophy, Essay Example

How Descartes Proves:

Self

Descartes points out through his descriptive philosophies that the human ‘self’ is an existing element that cannot be denied thus should be recognized accordingly. The concept of individualism however does not indicate the need of a person being separate from the community. As for a fact, Descartes specifically indicates that a person needs to be fully aware of his community before he would be able to know himself and vice versa. Being the father of modern philosophy, Descartes’ pointed out the subordinate culture of living that humans are most accustomed to as it is the natural way of living. One exists for a purpose and that purpose cannot be served without the other; hence, this idea imposes that one’s being or one’s self would only gain proper worth if his capacities and capabilities are fully shared with others surrounding him.

God

Through his write-up on this third meditation, Descartes’ proves there is a God who exists through relatively noting how humans behave about such a supreme being. In a world full of doubts, Descartes’ argues that infinite matters are most often than not more real than that of the finite ones. Through the application of the Principle of Plentitude, Descartes points out that out of God’s goodness, everything else have been created and because of such goodness, the existence of humans became possible. God’s relative connection to the idea of infinity makes it certain that he was able to establish the best for humans and this is proven through what nature presents to the society, how the creations in the environment tend to suffice every need of human beings.

Body

Following the concept of Real Distinction, Descartes’ presents the body to be different from the mind, thus having distinct characteristics apart from the human mind. In a way he points out that the mind could exist separately from the body. The body reacts to matters based on reflex while on the other end, the mind exists to decipher and analyze matters before reacting.