Descartes And Wordsworth Analysis

Descartes and Wordsworth are some of the most studied and well respected philosophers of all time. Descartes is known through the Meditations on First Philosophy in which he goes on the quest for knowledge. In the Meditations on First Philosophy, Descartes discusses that most of what he knows, he, himself is not sure of because these things are more geared toward his mind and thought process. Descartes pretends that certain things are false because he is in doubt. Similarly, Wordsworth is known for his critical essays that are in the form of poems that have similarities and differences in the spiritual journeys to Descartes’ ideas called the Prelude. In this text, Wordsworth focuses on experiences and the journey that he took, ensuring and …show more content…
For Descartes, everything has intrinsic nature or quality. Descartes uses the Wax argument to show that the mind has senses. “We say that we see the wax itself... this might lead me to conclude without more ado that knowledge of the wax comes from what the eye sees, and not from the scrutiny of the mind alone” (Descartes 21). In this argument he explains that the wax before it is melted is different than the wax after it has melted and that our senses tell us different things. After the wax has melted, it has a different smell and is observed to be seen as a wet substance. “By the same token, if I judge that the wax exists from the fact that I touch it, the same result follows, namely that I exist” (Descartes 22). Our senses are able to tell us that the two waxes are different, but our mind is telling us that it is the same wax. In a similar way, a house can be painted white and still be a house. The house can be remodeled and it would still be a house. What makes a house is its essence. The essence of a house is to allow stable living conditions for people, but its color, shape and size aren’t actually what it is. In the same way, the essence to being a human being is the thinking …show more content…
People are able to overcome hardships due to experiences, imagination and memory. “From his throne The King had fallen, and that invading host- Presumptuous cloud, on whose black front was written” (Book 10, 359). In Book 10, Wordsworth returns to Paris and is seen to be happier because he thinks that the French Revolution has come to an end. As he is walking he remembers where King Louis was held captive and this makes him recollect and feel sorrow as he falls asleep. “Courage to them who looked for good by light Of rational Experience, for the shoots And hopeful blossoms of a second spring” (Book 11, 391). In Book 11, Wordsworth is seen to mentally struggle because he sees the French Revolution while England is trying to make changes and improvements financially; however, he still fights by being positive and confident in the people who are in this