Descartes’ Method and System in Philosophy
Descartes’ Method and System
Distinction Between Method and System
A fundamental distinction in understanding modern philosophy, thanks to Descartes, is the difference between method and system. Philosophical truth is attained based on defined rules. While earlier philosophers considered method, it became central with the rise of modern science, impacting the value and reach of human knowledge.
A philosophical system is the set of philosophical truths obtained through a specific method, also known as the doctrine (exposition of reality by applying the proposed method of thinking).
This distinction is essential for Descartes, evident in his Discourse on Method.
Descartes’ Vision of a Unified Science
Descartes, originating from analytic geometry, saw the potential of combining algebra and geometry. He envisioned extending this procedure to all branches of knowledge, creating a scientia mirabilis (wonderful or admirable science), unifying all sciences.
This unified science would employ the same method for all disciplines, analogous to a tree: metaphysics as the roots, physics as the trunk, and ethics, mechanics, and medicine as the branches.
This system would encompass all human knowledge, aiming to obtain and enjoy the world’s goods.
Principles of Descartes’ Method
The idea of uniting all knowledge under a single method was based on:
- Human Reason’s Capacity for Truth: Descartes believed in human reason’s inherent ability to achieve truth, but emphasized its proper use to avoid errors.
- Distrust of Received Wisdom: Education and cultural tradition do not guarantee truth. Descartes distrusted traditional scholastic philosophy, believing human prejudices hinder reason’s natural development.
- Critical Examination of Beliefs: All received views should be critically examined. Descartes advocated removing all unfounded beliefs, not necessarily eliminating them, but subjecting them to scrutiny.
- Caution in Critical Review: Not everyone can or should undertake this critical review, as it can be disorienting. Descartes’ aim wasn’t to change general beliefs (religion, laws, customs), but to present his own views as a solitary test of truth, prompted by the contradictory teachings of learned individuals.
- A Rigorous Method: A suitable method ensures the successful use of reason. A rigorous method, subject to rules, strengthens reason.
Intuition and Deduction
Descartes viewed reason as a natural power, capable of knowing truth through two natural operations:
- Intuition: Immediate intellectual knowledge, the effortless grasp of a truism. It also refers to simple natures. These are known as clear and distinct ideas. An idea is clear when present to mindfulness and distinct when its contents are precisely identifiable.
- Deduction: Deriving one truth from another, reaching truth through a step-by-step process.
The method’s rules govern the proper use of these mental operations.
The Four Rules of Descartes’ Method
Descartes outlined four rules in his Discourse on Method:
- Evidence: The proper use of intuition, capturing clear and distinct ideas. This rule prohibits haste and prejudice, demanding the removal of all doubt about the obvious.
- Analysis: Dividing complex concepts into their simplest, indivisible elements (simple natures), which are intuited, not deduced. Intuition should follow the first rule.
- Synthesis: Reconstructing the complex from the simple, following the order of composition. Knowledge is demonstrated by reconstructing the complex.
- Review: Checking for errors. This involves an enumeration review (counting simple natures obtained through analysis) and a review of the synthesis to ensure accuracy.
The first rule uses intuition, while the second and third use deduction. These are complementary: decomposing the complex and then reconstructing it. Repeated deductive steps bring deduction closer to intuition.