Re: Descartes and "Discourse on Method"
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Re: Descartes and "Discourse on Method"         

Group: alt.philosophy · Group Profile
Author: Immortalist
Date: Sep 15, 2008 23:21

On Sep 15, 7:25 am, Mea505 cox.net> wrote:
> Having recently read (thoroughly) Descartes' "Discourse on the Method
> of Rightly Conducting the Reason and Seeking for Truth in the
> Sciences," would someone care to take the time to explain some of the
> key concepts that Descartes mentions in the discourse? I understand
> that these writings have been translated; perhaps some is lost in
> translation. But, he is often somewhat difficult to comprehend.
>
> Any help is appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> mea505

Here is a link that picks it apart pretty well...

Summary
Context
List of Characters

* Overall Analysis and Themes

* First Meditation: skeptical doubts

* Second Meditation, Part 1: cogito ergo sum and sum res cogitans

* Second Meditation, Part 2: the wax argument

* Third Meditation, Part 1: clear and distinct perceptions and
Descartes' theory of ideas

* Third Meditation, Part 2: Descartes' theory of ideas (cont.)

* Third Meditation, part 3: the existence of God and the Cartesian
Circle

* Fourth Meditation, Part 1: God is no deceiver

* Fourth Meditation, Part 2: Will, intellect, and the possibility
of error

* Fifth Meditation: "The essence of material things, and the
existence of God considered a second time"

* Sixth Meditation, Part 1: Cartesian body

* Sixth Meditation, Part 2: Mind-body dualism

* Sixth Meditation, Part 3: Primary and secondary qualities

Study Questions
Quiz
Bibliography

http://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/meditations
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