Discourse on Method
“But on examining them I noticed the syllogism of logic and the greater part of the rest of its teachings serve rather than explaining to other people the things we already know or even like the art of Lully, for speaking without judgement of the things we know not, than for instructing us of them”(Descartes). Descartes begins to explain the use of syllogism to logic, he uses the example of “I think therefore I am.” Descartes explains he exist in life because he was thinking and doubting. Doubting the truth of things was the reason why Descartes couldn’t doubt he was alive. Descartes also uses the idea of god as his existence. He exists because there is a god who is a higher power and is perfect that has created him.
Descartes provides four rules that he states to follow for logic. The first rule begins with the idea that we must first doubt everything to discover what is really real. We should only hold things true where no one can question what you believe is true. Questions ideas that you do not think yourself is true therefore it could be held further that it is wrong or if it is real there could be something learned. Descartes explains there is “no greater perfection than to doubt” from this idea without doubt we can not come to what is real. Descartes believes the idea of doubting as one of the greatest power that he holds.
Second, problems should not be attacked as a whole, but as an individual problem solved bit by bit. Descartes said this because “although they contain many very true very good precepts, there are always so many others mingled therewith that it is almost as difficult to separate them as to extract them” (Descartes). The end results of the problem would be more efficient and more desirable.Next, Begin with the things that we know are true and build on from those ideas in order to finalize and state what is real and why it is real. Again, this brings in the idea of syllogism where we begin by what is held true and we build upon it. Last, breaking everything down to the smallest details and leave nothing out where everything can be doubted. Do not ignore any questions you have and have no bias towards any ideas.
From this piece of writing I learned that we should look at ideas, objects and things that we think exist beyond their meanings. For example, instead of looking at just the table and just saying it exist because it is there. We need to look at the features one by one and break it down to give the tables its meaning and existence. Like table exist because it is made out of wood and there are drawers and handles at the drawer. I believe that we look at the world as a materialistic life than of its real value and the existence of the materials.
Works Cited:
Wilkie, Brian, and James Hurt. “Discourse On Method.” Literature of the Western World. 5th ed. Vol. 2. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2001. 405-08. Print.