My latest
book was Meditations and Other Metaphysics Writings by Rene Descartes. It’s one
of those foundation works that I’ve been meaning to read for a long time. I’m
glad that I actually read it and give it the proper time meant for it.
Over the
years, I’ve read portions of Mediations in my study of philosophy. I’ve always
enjoyed his viewpoint presented in Mediations-mainly I think therefore I am.
But for some reason I was hesitant on reading the actual source material. I wanted to continue with my learning for a
bit until reading Mediations for myself that way I had a foundation to think
about things. After reading the introduction, I find that was what Rene
Descartes wanted in a way. He wrote his philosophical works in Latin instead of
the more accessible French so it would be for learned readers only.
Mediations
and other Metaphysical Writings was actually a joy to read. It wasn’t written
in a way where his ideas were too hard to understand. It was easy to see how
the idea that if I’m thinking, I must exist in that moment. But the idea that I
was drawn towards more was the duality of mind-body. It’s something that is a little
hard to understand but it makes sense for me but there are things that exist in
only the minds, things that exist in the body and there are times when they
work together.
One of the
things I never expected to find in this work was how willing he was to defend
and explain his ideas to his objectors or to really have dialogue with people about
his ideas. It was nice to see how he was willing to revise his works or just
rework them. The manifesto at the end
where he takes on a misguided reader and try to steer him to his way of
thinking.
The only
thing that I didn’t fully get was how these mediations proved God. Everything
was so purposeful and interesting yet he would negate some of his ideas or put special
difference when it came to God. I just thought that was the weak by him. But at
the same time, I do agree with many of his assumptions.
I am so
glad I read Mediations when I did. Hopefully next week I can continue some of
quick reading so I can devote solid amount of time to philosophy. Rene Descartes continues to thrill me.
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