Rene Descartes Argument Of The Cogito

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Rene Descartes as a famous philosopher, mathematician and scientist in seventieth century has introduced a new method for recognising and distinguishing truth from untruth. Descartes believed that this method could be useful for every body since reason is same for all people. The aim of this essay is to demonstrate Descartes’ method in three parts. In the first part it will explain that what Descartes’ method is. In the second part, it will explain the philosophical meaning of this method. And in the final part will explain the relations of this method to Descartes’ argument of the Cogito.

The first thing that this essay will address is about Descartes’ philosophical method. Descartes not only was a philosopher, but also he was a great mathematician. Therefore, he strongly believed that as in mathematics there is a method and rules to gain mathematical science, there should be a specific method and some rules to identify philosophical data as well.
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As mentioned above Descartes has introduced a method for distinguishing false from truth and this method has made of four rules. However Descartes believed that these rules do not have their own justification and therefore he tries to find justification for these rules. According to Descartes Cogito argument, “I think therefore, I am”, is a strong justification and evidence for these rules since it is the first and the most certain and undoubtable fact that people can gain and it is very certain and firm that no any doubt can shake it. According to Descartes, Cogito argument is similar to a foundation at a house. As a house cannot be built without a strong foundation, philosophical rules should be built on a strong foundation. That foundation is Cogito argument since by this argument everything that is doubtful and uncertain can be thrown away and

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