Study Questions

Descartes, Discourse on Method

• How and why is Descartes hesitant in his writing?
• What markers can we discern that signify an awareness of Catholic authority?
• Pay attention to when Descartes introduces talk about God. Did this theological turn surprise you, or did you expect it given the discussion that precedes it? What does the introduction of God do for Descartes's argument?
• How does Descartes construct the self?
• Compare and contrast Descartes to Luther. In what ways are they similar? In what way does Descartes deny Luther?
• Consider the great appeal that Descartes's thought had for women. Is it surprising that Cartesian women played a major role in the mainstreaming of his ideas?
• Descartes's philosophical system is a "dualistic" one, featuring the twosome mind and body. How and why does Descartes distinguish between mind and body? What is a human being, according to this view, and where does the Self fit in? On what faculty do humans base their knowledge of the world and of their Selves? What are the benefits and drawbacks of this view?