Acta Iadertina, Vol. 21 No. 1, 2024.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.15291/ai.4514
Descartes’ Mathematical Method and the Problem of Cognition of the Material World
Ivana KNEŽIĆ
; Department of Philosophy, University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia
*
Maja POLJAK
; Department of Philosophy, University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia
*
Domenika PALIĆ
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
The object of research in the article is Descartes´ mathematical method
and it aims to show the consequences which the implementation of the
aforementioned method in philosophy had on human cognition, and
ultimately on the cognition of the material world. For that purpose, the
first segment of the article focuses on the detailed explanation of Descartes
´ understanding of method and shows the novelty of his methodological
approach in regard of the precedent philosophical tradition.
The second segment of the article shows the application the first rule of
mathematical method in Metaphysical Meditations which calls for the
methodical – in this case also universal – doubt that can be generally
applied. The third segment of the article reveals how Descartes egresses
the state of doubt and his attempt to demonstrate the existence of the
material world. Here, we also see the difficulties and logical fallacies
in Descartes‘ demonstration. The method used in the research was the
method of analysis of Descartes´ works: Discourse on Method, Rules
of the Direction of the Mind, Metaphysical Meditations in conjunction
with the objections and replies and the Principles of Philosophy.
As it is seen in the bibliography a relevant secondary literature has
been used as an aid in interpretation of Descartes´ texts. The results of
the research point towards multiple negative consequences which stem
from the universal implementation of the mathematical method on the
objects of human cognition, particularly concerning the cognition of
the material world.
Keywords
R. Descartes; mathematical method; doubt; analysis; synthesis; cognition; material world
Hrčak ID:
319585
URI
Publication date:
22.7.2024.
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