Part 4 Descartes’ Discourse on the Method is a fascinating read about his take on the famous line “I am thinking, therefore I exist” (Descartes 15). I completely agree when Descartes says “intellectual nature is distinct from bodily nature” because he gives to the notion that although someone is alive, they may not be free of imperfections (Descartes 16). Generally, as people age, it is expected that they gain and learn from a number of experiences which, in turn, make them better people. However, there are many older people who have simply not experienced as much, and therefore do not have the same experiences. Likewise, there are very young people who have experienced a great deal of happenings, which make them seem more intelligent. In addition, everyone gains different experiences as they age, which make them more intellectual. Regardless of how similar two people seem, they will never be them same people because they experience different things and see the world in a different light.

When Descartes says that many people “never raise their minds above things that can be perceived by the senses” (Descartes 17), I think of the material world in which we live in today, and the notion of old money and new money. There are individuals who believe that in order to show success in life and be happy, they must have material possessions to show their high status. These material possessions therefore define who they are. In contrast, those with an old money lifestyle do not flaunt material possessions, and often believe that simply doing good for society and contributing to make the world a better place is more than enough to define themselves. As such, many believe that if they cannot see something material or tangible, it must not be real, and that a person (i.e. one from an old money family) does not reveal material possessions, they must not have money – even if they do.