Rene Descartes’ “Discourse on the Method” is equal parts philosophical guideline and historical text. The core subtext of the book is that Descartes is sharing with the world the method that he has discovered with regard to reason that has helped him in his scientific endeavors. While there are numerous writing nuances found in this work, symbolism is one particular written trait that is not omnipresent in philosophical discourses like the one Descartes wrote here. Like many other philosophical meanderings of this time period, the language used throughout this piece is complex and it is not easily digestible in terms of interpreting the many ideas of the author. Because theme and symbolism are not used freely throughout the piece, there
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This is an important part of any process, but particularly one that represents an awakening of sorts, as Descartes’ method clearly does for him and his scientific endeavors. The symbol of human movement is represented again when Descartes writes “The third was, to conduct my thoughts in order, by beginning with the simplest objects, and those most easiest to know, so as to mount little by little, as if by steps” (Descartes, 111). Again, he is referencing the process of taking small steps to arrive at a destination and correlating them with the process in question. It is easy to understand physical steps and the importance of those times when small physical steps are necessary. By using this symbol as a way to demonstrate the way that Descartes is navigating the complex mental process associated with his method, the reader can better understand what he is experiencing in trying to organize himself.
Finally, Descartes implements the physical act of sleep to explain how his method evolved, evoking the idea that the same concepts that can come to the human mind when awake can happen during sleep. In this regard, he writes: “….and finally, considering that all the thoughts that which we have when awake, can come to us also when we sleep….”
is …show more content…
This is an important part of any process, but particularly one that represents an awakening of sorts, as Descartes’ method clearly does for him and his scientific endeavors. The symbol of human movement is represented again when Descartes writes “The third was, to conduct my thoughts in order, by beginning with the simplest objects, and those most easiest to know, so as to mount little by little, as if by steps” (Descartes, 111). Again, he is referencing the process of taking small steps to arrive at a destination and correlating them with the process in question. It is easy to understand physical steps and the importance of those times when small physical steps are necessary. By using this symbol as a way to demonstrate the way that Descartes is navigating the complex mental process associated with his method, the reader can better understand what he is experiencing in trying to organize himself.
Finally, Descartes implements the physical act of sleep to explain how his method evolved, evoking the idea that the same concepts that can come to the human mind when awake can happen during sleep. In this regard, he writes: “….and finally, considering that all the thoughts that which we have when awake, can come to us also when we sleep….”