“I think, therefore, I am,” a syllogism turned symbolic by repetition. Descartes’ signature phrase, stated in the search of a proper base for the pursuit of knowledge and as a result of a project of radical self doubt, this basis was founded. A project of radical doubt ranging from his empirical knowledge to his sense of self. While meditating on what is and is not real he begins to doubt himself and realizes that this metaphysical doubt (thought) is the last level of doubt, as he finds himself unable to doubt the idea that he is thinking, therefore unable to doubt at the very least his own existence. Descartes meditates on causal arguments for his existence, in this God is found. “God” in this text serves as a blank canvas to project the elements of Substance, God is eternal, omnipotent, and infinite.
Descartes deduces that we as human being are finite beings derived from an infinite substance. We are essentially substance with some of the elements of this supreme being, God. A being encapsulating perfection, Descartes uses God and elements of its essence to show the distinction between human beings as finite and God as infinite.
…show more content…
He uses dualism to demonstrate the difference between mind and body, the cogito distinguished the two by showing how one, the body, can be doubted while the other, the mind, cannot. In an effort to rebuild the reality around him from the foundation of the cogito, Descartes acknowledges the effects of impressions on the mind. His body impresses upon his mind, but the best example used is the description of his senses while he attends a festival. Descartes acknowledges what he is perceiving in great detail, and decides that since the sensations of this event were so much more clear and distinct than the performative experience he recreated through meditation alone, the surrounding reality must have come from other things than his own