Meditations on First Philosophy-1

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Meditations On First Philosophy

Rene Descartes

1641

1/20/96

CONTENTS Prefatory Note To The Meditations. Dedication.

Synosis of the Si! "o##o$in% Meditations.

Meditation &' Of the Thin%s $hich (ay )e )ro*%ht $ithin the Shere ofthe Do*)tf*#.

Meditation &&' Of the Nat*re of the +*(an Mind, and that it is (ore easi#y-no$n than the ody.

Meditation &&&' Of od' that he E!ists.

Meditation &' Of the Tr*e and the "a#se.

Meditation ' Of the Essence of Materia# Thin%s and a%ain of od that

he E!ists.

Meditation &' Of the E!istence of Materia# Thin%s and of the rea#

Distinction )et$een the So*# and ody of Man.

Notes

Coyri%ht' 1996 &nternet Encyc#oedia of Phi#osohy. The coy te!t for this fi#e is the 1911

edition of The Philosophical Works of DescartesCa()rid%e 3niersity Press5 trans#ated )y

E#ia)eth S. +a#dane.1
http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#prefatoryhttp://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#prefatoryhttp://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#dedicationhttp://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#dedicationhttp://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#synopsishttp://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#synopsishttp://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med1http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med1http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med2http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med2http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med3http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med3http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med4http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med4http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med5http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med5http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med6http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med6http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med6http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#noteshttp://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#dedicationhttp://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#synopsishttp://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med1http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med1http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med2http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med2http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med3http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med4http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med5http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med5http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med6http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#med6http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#noteshttp://www.ucs.mun.ca/~fdoull/des-med.htm#prefatory


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Prefatory Note To The Meditations.

The first edition of theMeditations$as *)#ished in 7atin )y Michae# So#y of Paris atthe Sign of the Phoenixin 1641 c*( Prii#e%io et 8ro)atione Doctor*(. The oya#privilege$as indeed %ien )*t the approbationsee(s to hae )een of a (ost indefinite

:ind. The reason of the )oo: )ein% *)#ished in "rance and not in +o##and $here

Descartes $as #iin% in a char(in% co*ntry ho*se at Ende%eest near 7eiden $as

aarent#y his fear that the D*tch (inisters (i%ht in so(e $ay #ay ho#d of it. +is friendPere Mersenne too: char%e of its *)#ication in Paris and $rote to hi( a)o*t any

diffic*#ties that occ*rred in the co*rse of its ro%ress thro*%h the ress. The second

edition $as ho$eer *)#ished at 8(sterda( in 1642 )y 7o*is E#eir and this edition$as acco(anied )y the no$ co(#eted Objections and Replies.2The edition fro( $hich

the resent trans#ation is (ade is the second ;*st (entioned and is that adoted )y MM.

8da( and Tannery as the (ore correct for reasons that they state in detai# in the refaceto their edition. The $or: $as trans#ated into "rench )y the D*c de 7*ynes in 1642 and

Descartes considered the trans#ation so e!ce##ent that he had it *)#ished so(e years #ater.

C#erse#ier to co(#ete (atters had the Objectionsa#so *)#ished in "rench $ith the

Replies,and this #i:e the other $as s*);ect to Descartes< reision and correction. This

reision renders the "rench edition secia##y a#*a)#e. =here it see(s desira)#e an

a#ternatie readin% fro( the "rench is %ien in s>*are )rac:ets.

E#ia)eth S. +a#dane

Dedication

To the Most =ise and #*strio*s the Dean and Doctors of the Sacred "ac*#ty ofTheo#o%y in Paris.

The (otie $hich ind*ces (e to resent to yo* this Treatise is so e!ce##ent and $hen

yo* )eco(e ac>*ainted $ith its desi%n & a( coninced that yo* $i## a#so hae so

e!ce##ent a (otie for ta:in% it *nder yo*r rotection that & fee# that & cannot do )etter in

order to render it in so(e sort acceta)#e to yo* than in a fe$ $ords to state $hat & haeset (yse#f to do.

& hae a#$ays considered that the t$o >*estions resectin% od and the So*# $ere thechief of those that o*%ht to )e de(onstrated )y hi#osohica# rather than theo#o%ica#

ar%*(ent. "or a#tho*%h it is >*ite eno*%h for *s faithf*# ones to accet )y (eans of faith

the fact that the h*(an so*# does not erish $ith the )ody and that od e!ists itcertain#y does not see( ossi)#e eer to ers*ade infide#s of any re#i%ion indeed $e (ay

a#(ost say of any (ora# irt*e *n#ess to )e%in $ith $e roe these t$o facts )y (eans


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of the nat*ra# reason. 8nd inas(*ch as often in this #ife %reater re$ards are offered for

ice than for irt*e fe$ eo#e $o*#d refer the ri%ht to the *sef*# $ere they restrained

neither )y the fear of od nor the e!ectation of another #ife, and a#tho*%h it is a)so#*te#ytr*e that $e (*st )e#iee that there is a od )eca*se $e are so ta*%ht in the +o#y

Scrit*res and on the other hand that $e (*st )e#iee the +o#y Scrit*res )eca*se they

co(e fro( od the reason of this is that faith )ein% a %ift of od +e $ho %ies the%race to ca*se *s to )e#iee other thin%s can #i:e$ise %ie it to ca*se *s to )e#iee that +e

e!ists5 $e neerthe#ess co*#d not #ace this ar%*(ent )efore infide#s $ho (i%ht acc*se

*s of reasonin% in a circ#e. 8nd in tr*th & hae noticed that yo* a#on% $ith a## thetheo#o%ians did not on#y affir( that the e!istence of od (ay )e roed )y the nat*ra#

reason )*t a#so that it (ay )e inferred fro( the +o#y Scrit*res that :no$#ed%e a)o*t

+i( is (*ch c#earer than that $hich $e hae of (any created thin%s and as a (atter of

fact is so easy to ac>*ire that those $ho hae it not are c*#a)#e in their i%norance. Thisindeed aears fro( the =isdo( of So#o(on chater !iii. $here it is saido!beit the"

are not to be exc#sed$ for if their #nderstanding !as so great that the" co#ld discern the

!orld and the creat#res, !h" did the" not rather find o#t the %ord thereof&and in

o(ans chater i. it is said that they are !itho#t exc#se, and a%ain in the sa(e #ace )ythese $ords that !hich 'a" be kno!n of (od is 'anifest in the',it see(s as thro*%h $e

$ere sho$n that a## that $hich can )e :no$n of od (ay )e (ade (anifest )y (eans$hich are not deried fro( any$here )*t fro( o*rse#es and fro( the si(#e

consideration of the nat*re of o*r (inds. +ence & tho*%ht it not )eside (y *rose to

in>*ire ho$ this is so and ho$ od (ay )e (ore easi#y and certain#y :no$n than thethin%s of the $or#d.

8nd as re%ards the so*# a#tho*%h (any hae considered that it is not easy to :no$ its

nat*re and so(e hae een dared to say that h*(an reasons hae coninced *s that it

$o*#d erish $ith the )ody and that faith a#one co*#d )e#iee the contrary neerthe#essinas(*ch as the 7ateran Co*nci# he#d *nder 7eo ? in the ei%hth session5 conde(ns

these tenets and as 7eo e!ress#y ordains Christian hi#osohers to ref*te their

ar%*(ents and to e(#oy a## their o$ers in (a:in% :no$n the tr*th & hae ent*red inthis treatise to *nderta:e the sa(e tas:.

More than that & a( a$are that the rincia# reason $hich ca*ses (any i(io*s ersons

not to desire to )e#iee that there is a od and that the h*(an so*# is distinct fro( the)ody is that they dec#are that hitherto no one has )een a)#e to de(onstrate these t$o

facts, and a#tho*%h & a( not of their oinion )*t on the contrary ho#d that the %reater

art of the reasons $hich hae )een )ro*%ht for$ard concernin% these t$o >*estions )y

so (any %reat (en are $hen they are ri%ht#y *nderstood e>*a# to so (anyde(onstrations and that it is a#(ost i(ossi)#e to inent ne$ ones it is yet in (y

oinion the case that nothin% (ore *sef*# can )e acco(#ished in hi#osohy than once

for a## to see: $ith care for the )est of these reasons and to set the( forth in so c#ear ande!act a (anner that it $i## henceforth )e eident to eery)ody that they are erita)#e

de(onstrations. 8nd fina##y inas(*ch as it $as desired that & sho*#d *nderta:e this tas:

)y (any $ho $ere a$are that & had c*#tiated a certain Method for the reso#*tion ofdiffic*#ties of eery :ind in the Sciences @@ a (ethod $hich it is tr*e is not noe# since

there is nothin% (ore ancient than the tr*th )*t of $hich they $ere a$are that & had

(ade *se s*ccessf*##y eno*%h in other (atters of diffic*#ty @@ & hae tho*%ht that it $as

(y d*ty a#so to (a:e tria# of it in the resent (atter.


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No$ a## that & co*#d acco(#ish in the (atter is contained in this Treatise. Not that & hae

here dra$n to%ether a## the different reasons $hich (i%ht )e )ro*%ht for$ard to sere as

roofs of this s*);ect' for that neer see(ed to )e necessary e!cetin% $hen there $as noone sin%#e roof that $as certain. *t & hae treated the first and rincia# ones in s*ch a

(anner that & can ent*re to )rin% the( for$ard as ery eident and ery certain

de(onstrations. 8nd (ore than that & $i## say that these roofs are s*ch that & do notthin: that there is any $ay oen to the h*(an (ind )y $hich it can eer s*cceed in

discoerin% )etter. "or the i(ortance of the s*);ect and the %#ory of od to $hich a##

this re#ates constrain (e to sea: here so(e$hat (ore free#y of (yse#f than is (y ha)it.Neerthe#ess $hateer certainty and eidence & find in (y reasons & cannot ers*ade

(yse#f that a## the $or#d is caa)#e of *nderstandin% the(. Sti## ;*st as in eo(etry there

are (any de(onstrations that hae )een #eft to *s )y 8rchi(edes )y 8o##oni*s )y

Pa*s and others $hich are acceted )y eeryone as erfect#y certain and eident)eca*se they c#ear#y contain nothin% $hich considered )y itse#f is not ery easy to

*nderstand and as a## thro*%h that $hich fo##o$s has an e!act connection $ith and

deendence on that $hich recedes5 neerthe#ess )eca*se they are so(e$hat #en%thy

and de(and a (ind $ho##y deoted tot heir consideration they are on#y ta:en in and*nderstood )y a ery #i(ited n*()er of ersons. Si(i#ar#y a#tho*%h & ;*d%e that those of

$hich & here (a:e *se are e>*a# to or een s*rass in certainty and eidence thede(onstrations of eo(etry & yet arehend that they cannot )e ade>*ate#y *nderstood

)y (any )oth )eca*se they are a#so a #itt#e #en%thy and deendent the one on the other

and rincia##y )eca*se they de(and a (ind $ho##y free of re;*dices and one $hichcan )e easi#y detached fro( the affairs of the senses. 8nd tr*th to say there are not so

(any in the $or#d $ho are fitted for (etahysica# sec*#ations as there are for those of

eo(etry. 8nd (ore than that, there is sti## this difference that in eo(etry since each

one is ers*aded that nothin% (*st )e adanced of $hich there is not a certainde(onstration those $ho are not entire#y adets (ore fre>*ent#y err in aroin% $hat is

fa#se in order to %ie the i(ression that they *nderstand it than in ref*tin% the tr*e. *t

the case is different in hi#osohy $here eeryone )e#iees that a## is ro)#e(atica# andfe$ %ie the(se#es to the search after tr*th, and the %reater n*()er in their desire to

ac>*ire a re*tation for )o#dness of tho*%ht arro%ant#y co()at the (ost i(ortant of

tr*ths.AThat is $hy $hateer force there (ay )e in (y reasonin%s seein% they )e#on% to

hi#osohy & cannot hoe that they $i## hae (*ch effect on the (inds of (en *n#ess

yo* e!tend to the( yo*r rotection. *t the esti(ation in $hich yo* Co(any is

*niersa##y he#d is so %reat and the na(e of Sor)onne carries $ith it so (*ch a*thoritythat ne!t to the Sacred Co*nci#s neer has s*ch deference )een aid to the ;*d%(ent of

any ody not on#y in $hat concerns the faith )*t a#so in $hat re%ards h*(an hi#osohy

as $e##' eeryone indeed )e#iees that it is not ossi)#e to discoer e#se$here (oreersicacity and so#idity or (ore inte%rity and $isdo( in rono*ncin% ;*d%(ent. "or

this reason & hae no do*)t that if yo* dei%n to ta:e the tro*)#e in the first #ace of

correctin% this $or: for )ein% conscio*s not on#y of (y infir(ity )*t a#so of (yi%norance & sho*#d not dare to state that it $as free fro( errors5 and then after addin% to

it these thin%s that are #ac:in% to it co(#etin% those $hich are i(erfect and yo*rse#es

ta:in% the tro*)#e to %ie a (ore a(#e e!#anation of those thin%s $hich hae need of it

or at #east (a:in% (e a$are of the defects so that & (ay a#y (yse#f to re(edy the(4@@


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$hen this is done and $hen fina##y the reasonin%s )y $hich & roe that there is a od

and that the h*(an so*# differs fro( the )ody sha## )e carried to that oint of ersic*ity

to $hich & a( s*re they can )e carried in order that they (ay )e estee(ed as erfect#ye!act de(onstrations if yo* dei%n to a*thorie yo*r aro)ation and to render *)#ic

testi(ony to their tr*th and certainty & do not do*)t & say that hencefor$ard a## the

errors and fa#se oinions $hich hae eer e!isted re%ardin% these t$o >*estions $i## soon)e effaced fro( the (inds of (en. "or the tr*th itse#f $i## easi#y ca*se a## (en of (ind

and #earnin% to s*)scri)e to yo*r ;*d%(ent, and yo*r a*thority $i## ca*se the atheists

$ho are *s*a##y (ore arro%ant than #earned or ;*dicio*s to rid the(se#es of their siritof contradiction or #ead the( ossi)#y the(se#es to defend the reasonin%s $hich they

find )ein% receied as de(onstrations )y a## ersons of consideration #est they aear not

to *nderstand the(. 8nd fina##y a## others $i## easi#y yie#d to s*ch a (ass of eidence

and there $i## )e none $ho dares to do*)t the e!istence of od and the rea# and tr*edistinction )et$een the h*(an so*# and the )ody. &t is for yo* no$ in yo*r sin%*#ar

$isdo( to ;*d%e of the i(ortance of the esta)#ish(ent of s*ch )e#iefs Byo* $ho see the

disorders rod*ced )y the do*)t of the(. *t it $o*#d not )eco(e (e to say (ore in

consideration of the ca*se of od and re#i%ion to those $ho hae a#$ays )een the (ost$orthy s*orts of the Catho#ic Ch*rch.

Preface to the Reader

& hae a#ready s#i%ht#y to*ched on these t$o >*estions of od and the h*(an so*# in theDisco*rse on the Method of ri%ht#y cond*ctin% the eason and see:in% tr*th in the

Sciences *)#ished in "rench in the year 16A. Not that & had the desi%n of treatin% these

$ith any thoro*%hness )*t on#y so to sea: in assin% and in order to ascertain )y the;*d%(ent of the readers ho$ & sho*#d treat the( #ater on. "or these >*estions hae a#$aysaeared to (e to )e of s*ch i(ortance that & ;*d%ed it s*ita)#e to sea: of the( (ore

than once, and the road $hich & fo##o$ in the e!#anation of the( is so #itt#e trodden and

so far re(oed fro( the ordinary ath that & did not ;*d%e it to )e e!edient to set it forthat #en%th in "rench and in a Disco*rse $hich (i%ht )e read )y eeryone in case the

fee)#er (inds sho*#d )e#iee that it $as er(itted to the( to atte(t to fo##o$ the sa(e

ath.*t hain% in this Disco*rse on Method )e%%ed a## those $ho hae fo*nd in (y $ritin%s

so(e$hat deserin% of cens*re to do (e the fao*r of ac>*aintin% (e $ith the %ro*nds

of it nothin% $orthy of re(ar: has )een o);ected to in the( )eyond t$o (atters' to these

t$o & $ish here to re#y in a fe$ $ords )efore *nderta:in% their (ore detai#ed disc*ssion.The first o);ection is that it does not fo##o$ fro( the fact that the h*(an (ind ref#ectin%

on itse#f does not erceie itse#f to )e other than a thin% that thin:s that its nat*re or its

essence consists on#y in its )ein% a thin% that thin:s in the sense that this $ord on#ye!c#*des a## other thin%s $hich (i%ht a#so )e s*osed to ertain to the nat*re of the

so*#. To this o);ection & re#y that it $as not (y intention in that #ace to e!c#*de these in

accordance $ith the order that #oo:s to the tr*th of the (atter as to $hich & $as not thendea#in%5 )*t on#y in accordance $ith the order of (y tho*%ht Bercetion, th*s (y


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(eanin% $as that so far as & $as a$are & :ne$ nothin% c#ear#y as )e#on%in% to (y

essence e!cetin% that & $as a thin% that thin:s or a thin% that has in itse#f the fac*#ty of

thin:in%. *t & sha## sho$ hereafter ho$ fro( the fact that & :no$ no other thin% $hichertains to (y essence it fo##o$s that there is no other thin% $hich rea##y does )e#on% to

it.

The second o);ection is that it does not fo##o$ fro( the fact that & hae in (yse#f the ideaof so(ethin% (ore erfect than & a( that this idea is (ore erfect than & and (*ch #ess

that $hat is reresented )y this idea e!ists. *t & re#y that in this ter( idea there is here

so(ethin% e>*ioca# for it (ay either )e ta:en (ateria##y as an act of (y *nderstandin%and in this sense it cannot )e said that it is (ore erfect than &, or it (ay )e ta:en

o);ectie#y as the thin% $hich is reresented )y this act $hich a#tho*%h $e do not

s*ose it to e!ist o*tside of (y *nderstandin% (ay none the #ess )e (ore erfect than

& )eca*se of its essence. 8nd in fo##o$in% o*t this Treatise & sha## sho$ (ore f*##y ho$fro( the so#e fact that & hae in (yse#f the idea of a thin% (ore erfect than (yse#f it

fo##o$s that this thin% tr*#y e!ists.

&n addition to these t$o o);ections & hae a#so seen t$o fair#y #en%thy $or:s on this

s*);ect $hich ho$eer did not so (*ch i(*%n (y reasonin%s as (y conc#*sions andthis )y ar%*(ents dra$n fro( the ordinary atheistic so*rces. *t )eca*se s*ch

ar%*(ents cannot (a:e any i(ression on the (inds of those $ho rea##y *nderstand (yreasonin%s and as the ;*d%(ents of (any are so fee)#e and irrationa# that they ery often

a##o$ the(se#es to )e ers*aded )y the oinions $hich they hae first for(ed ho$eer

fa#se and far re(oed fro( reason they (ay )e rather than )y a tr*e and so#id )*ts*)se>*ent#y receied ref*tation of these oinions & do not desire to re#y here to their

criticis(s in case of )ein% first of a## o)#i%ed to state the(. & sha## on#y say in %enera# that

a## that is said )y the atheist a%ainst the e!istence of od a#$ays deends either on the

fact that $e ascri)e to od affections $hich are h*(an or that $e attri)*te so (*chstren%th and $isdo( to o*r (inds that $e een hae the res*(tion to desire to

deter(ine and *nderstand that $hich od can and o*%ht to do. &n this $ay a## that they

a##e%e $i## ca*se *s no diffic*#ty roided on#y $e re(e()er that $e (*st consider o*r(inds as thin%s $hich are finite and #i(ited and od as a ein% $ho is

inco(rehensi)#e and infinite.

No$ that & hae once for a## reco%nised and ac:no$#ed%ed the oinions of (en & at once)e%in to treat of od and the +*(an so*# and at the sa(e ti(e to treat of the $ho#e of

the "irst Phi#osohy $itho*t ho$eer e!ectin% any raise fro( the *#%ar and $itho*t

the hoe that (y )oo: $i## hae (any readers. On the contrary & sho*#d neer adise

anyone to read it e!cetin% those $ho desire to (editate serio*s#y $ith (e and $ho candetach their (inds fro( affairs of sense and de#ier the(se#es entire#y fro( eery sort

of re;*dice. & :no$ too $e## that s*ch (en e!ist in a ery s(a## n*()er. *t for those

$ho $itho*t carin% to co(rehend the order and connections of (y reasonin%s for(their criticis(s on detached ortions ar)itrari#y se#ected as is the c*sto( $ith (any

these & say $i## not o)tain (*ch rofit fro( readin% this Treatise. 8nd a#tho*%h they

erhas in seera# arts find occasion of cai##in% they can for a## their ains (a:e noo);ection $hich is *r%ent or deserin% of re#y.

8nd inas(*ch as & (a:e no ro(ise to others to satisfy the( at once and as & do not

res*(e so (*ch on (y o$n o$ers as to )e#iee (yse#f caa)#e of foreseein% a## that

can ca*se diffic*#ty to anyone & sha## first of a## set forth in these Meditations the ery


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considerations )y $hich & ers*ade (yse#f that & hae reached a certain and eident

:no$#ed%e of the tr*th in order to see if )y the sa(e reasons $hich ers*aded (e & can

a#so ers*ade others. 8nd after that & sha## re#y to the o);ections $hich hae )een (adeto (e )y ersons of %eni*s and #earnin% to $ho( & hae sent (y Meditations for

e!a(ination )efore s*)(ittin% the( to the ress. "or they hae (ade so (any o);ections

and these so different that & ent*re to ro(ise that it $i## )e diffic*#t for anyone to )rin%to (ind criticis(s of any conse>*ence $hich hae not )een a#ready to*ched *on. This is

$hy & )e% those $ho read these Meditations to for( no ;*d%(ent *on the( *n#ess they

hae %ien the(se#es the tro*)#e to read a## the o);ections as $e## as the re#ies $hich &hae (ade to the(.6

Synopsis of the Six Following Meditations.

&n the first Meditation & set forth the reasons for $hich $e (ay %enera##y sea:in% do*)t

a)o*t a## thin%s and esecia##y a)o*t (ateria# thin%s at #east so #on% as $e hae no other

fo*ndations for the sciences than those $hich $e hae hitherto ossessed. *t a#tho*%h

the *ti#ity of a Do*)t $hich is so %enera# does not at first aear it is at the sa(e ti(eery %reat inas(*ch as it de#iers *s fro( eery :ind of re;*dice and sets o*t for *s a

ery si(#e $ay )y $hich the (ind (ay detach itse#f fro( the senses, and fina##y it(a:es it i(ossi)#e for *s eer to do*)t those thin%s $hich $e hae once discoered to

)e tr*e.

&n the second Meditation (ind $hich (a:in% *se of the #i)erty $hich ertains to itta:es for %ranted that a## those thin%s of $hose e!istence it has the #east do*)t are non@

e!istent reco%nises that it is ho$eer a)so#*te#y i(ossi)#e that it does not itse#f e!ist.

This oint is #i:e$ise of the %reatest (o(ent inas(*ch as )y this (eans a distinction iseasi#y dra$n )et$een the thin%s $hich ertain to (ind @@ that is to say to the inte##ect*a#

nat*re @@ and those $hich ertain to )ody.

*t )eca*se it (ay )e that so(e e!ect fro( (e in this #ace a state(ent of the reasonsesta)#ishin% the i((orta#ity of the so*# & fee# that & sho*#d here (a:e :no$n to the( thathain% ai(ed at $ritin% nothin% in a## this Treatise of $hich & do not ossess ery e!act

de(onstrations & a( o)#i%ed to fo##o$ a si(i#ar order to that (ade *se of )y the

%eo(eters $hich is to )e%in )y *ttin% for$ard as re(ises a## those thin%s *on $hichthe roosition that $e see: deends )efore co(in% to any conc#*sion re%ardin% it. No$

the first and rincia# (atter $hich is re>*isite for thoro*%h#y *nderstandin% the

i((orta#ity of the so*# is to for( the c#earest ossi)#e concetion of it and one $hich$i## )e entire#y distinct fro( a## the concetions $hich $e (ay hae of )ody, and in this

Meditation this has )een done. &n addition to this it is re>*isite that $e (ay )e ass*red

that a## the thin%s $hich $e conceie c#ear#y and distinct#y are tr*e in the ery $ay in

$hich $e thin: the(, and this co*#d not )e roed reio*s#y to the "o*rth Mediation."*rther $e (*st hae a distinct concetion of cororea# nat*re $hich is %ien art#y in

this Second and art#y in the "ifth and Si!th Meditations. 8nd fina##y $e sho*#d

conc#*de fro( a## this that those thin%s $hich $e conceie c#ear#y and distinct#y as )ein%dierse s*)stances as $e re%ard (ind and )ody to )e are rea##y s*)stances essentia##y

distinct one fro( the other, and this is the conc#*sion of the Si!th Meditation. This is

f*rther confir(ed in this sa(e Meditation )y the fact that $e cannot conceie of )odye!cetin% in so far as it is diisi)#e $hi#e the (ind cannot )e conceied of e!cetin% as


8/48

indiisi)#e. "or $e are not a)#e to conceie of the ha#f of a (ind as $e can do of the

s(a##est of a## )odies, so that $e see that not on#y are their nat*res different )*t een in

so(e resects contrary to one another. & hae not ho$eer dea#t f*rther $ith this (atterin this treatise )oth )eca*se $hat & hae said is s*fficient to sho$ c#ear#y eno*%h that the

e!tinction of the (ind does not fo##o$ fro( the corr*tion of the )ody and a#so to %ie

(en the hoe of another #ife after death as a#so )eca*se the re(ises fro( $hich thei((orta#ity of the so*# (ay )e ded*ced deend on an e#*cidation of a co(#ete syste(

of Physics. This $o*#d (ean to esta)#ish in the first #ace that a## s*)stances %enera##y @@

that is to say a## thin%s $hich cannot e!ist $itho*t )ein% created )y od @@ are in theirnat*re incorr*ti)#e and that they can neer cease to e!ist *n#ess od in denyin% to

the( his conc*rrence red*ce the( to no*%ht, and second#y that )ody re%arded

%enera##y is a s*)stance $hich is the reason $hy it a#so cannot erish )*t that the

h*(an )ody inas(*ch as it differs fro( other )odies is co(osed on#y of a certainconfi%*ration of (e()ers and of other si(i#ar accidents $hi#e the h*(an (ind is not

si(i#ar#y co(osed of any accidents )*t is a *re s*)stance. "or a#tho*%h a## the

accidents of (ind )e chan%ed a#tho*%h for instance it thin: certain thin%s $i## others

erceie others etc. desite a## this it does not e(er%e fro( these chan%es another (ind'the h*(an )ody on the other hand )eco(es a different thin% fro( the so#e fact that the

fi%*re or for( of any of its ortions is fo*nd to )e chan%ed. "ro( this it fo##o$s that theh*(an )ody (ay indeed easi#y eno*%h erish )*t the (ind Bor so*# of (an & (a:e no

distinction )et$een the(5 is o$in% to its nat*re i((orta#.

&n the third Meditation it see(s to (e that & hae e!#ained at s*fficient #en%th therincia# ar%*(ent of $hich & (a:e *se in order to roe the e!istence of od. *t none

the #ess )eca*se & did not $ish in that #ace to (a:e *se of any co(arisons deried

fro( cororea# thin%s so as to $ithdra$ as (*ch as & co*#d the (inds of readers fro( the

senses there (ay erhas hae re(ained (any o)sc*rities $hich ho$eer $i## & hoe)e entire#y re(oed )y the e#ies $hich & hae (ade to the O);ections $hich hae )een

set )efore (e. 8(on%st others there is for e!a(#e this one +o$ the idea in *s of a

)ein% s*re(e#y erfect ossesses so (*ch o);ectie rea#ity Bthat is to say articiates )yreresentation in so (any de%rees of )ein% and erfection that it necessari#y roceeds

fro( a ca*se $hich is a)so#*te#y erfect. This is i##*strated in these e#ies )y the

co(arison of a ery erfect (achine the idea of $hich is fo*nd in the (ind of so(e$or:(an. "or as the o);ectie contriance of this idea (*st hae so(e ca*se i.e. either

the science of the $or:(an or that of so(e other fro( $ho( he has receied the idea it

is si(i#ar#y i(ossi)#e that the idea of od $hich is in *s sho*#d not hae od hi(se#f as

its ca*se.&n the fo*rth Meditation it is sho$n that a## these thin%s $hich $e ery c#ear#y and

distinct#y erceie are tr*e and at the sa(e ti(e it is e!#ained in $hat the nat*re of error

or fa#sity consists. This (*st of necessity )e :no$n )oth for the confir(ation of therecedin% tr*ths and for the )etter co(rehension of those that fo##o$. *t it (*st

(ean$hi#e )e re(ar:ed that & do not in any $ay there treat of sin @@ that is to say of the

error $hich is co((itted in the *rs*it of %ood and ei# )*t on#y of that $hich arises inthe decidin% )et$een the tr*e and the fa#se. 8nd & do not intend to sea: of (atters

ertainin% to the "aith or the cond*ct of #ife )*t on#y of those $hich concern sec*#atie

tr*ths and $hich (ay )e :no$n )y the so#e aid of the #i%ht of nat*re.5


9/48

&n the fifth Meditation cororea# nat*re %enera##y is e!#ained and in addition to this the

e!istence of od is de(onstrated )y a ne$ roof in $hich there (ay ossi)#y )e certain

diffic*#ties a#so )*t the so#*tion of these $i## )e seen in the e#ies to the O);ections.8nd f*rther & sho$ in $hat sense it is tr*e to say that the certainty of %eo(etrica#

de(onstrations is itse#f deendent on the :no$#ed%e of od.

"ina##y in the Si!th & distin%*ish the action of the *nderstandin%

fro( that of thei(a%ination,Fthe (ar:s )y $hich this distinction is (ade are descri)ed. & here sho$ that

the (ind of (an is rea##y distinct fro( the )ody and at the sa(e ti(e that the t$o are so

c#ose#y ;oined to%ether that they for( so to sea: a sin%#e thin%. 8## the errors $hichroceed fro( the senses are then s*reyed $hi#e the (eans of aoidin% the( are

de(onstrated and fina##y a## the reasons fro( $hich $e (ay ded*ce the e!istence of

(ateria# thin%s are set forth. Not that & ;*d%e the( to )e ery *sef*# in esta)#ishin% that

$hich they roe to $it that there is in tr*th a $or#d that (en ossess )odies and others*ch thin%s $hich neer hae )een do*)ted )y anyone of sense, )*t )eca*se in

considerin% these c#ose#y $e co(e to see that they are neither so stron% nor so eident as

those ar%*(ents $hich #ead *s to the :no$#ed%e of o*r (ind and of od, so that these

#ast (*st )e the (ost certain and (ost eident facts $hich can fa## $ithin the co%nianceof the h*(an (ind. 8nd this is the $ho#e (atter that & hae tried to roe in these

Meditations for $hich reason & here o(it to sea: of (any other >*estions $hich & dea#tincidenta##y in this disc*ssion.

Meditations On First Philosophyin which the Existence of God and the

Distinction etween Mind and ody are De!onstrated. "

G

Meditation #Of the things which !ay $e $ro%ght within the sphere of the do%$tf%l

&t is no$ so(e years since & detected ho$ (any $ere the fa#se )e#iefs that & had fro( (y

ear#iest yo*th ad(itted as tr*e and ho$ do*)tf*# $as eerythin% & had since constr*cted

on this )asis, and fro( that ti(e & $as coninced that & (*st once for a## serio*s#y

*nderta:e to rid (yse#f of a## the oinions $hich & had for(er#y acceted and co((enceto )*i#d ane$ fro( the fo*ndation if & $anted to esta)#ish any fir( and er(anent

str*ct*re in the sciences. *t as this enterrise aeared to )e a ery %reat one & $aited*nti# & had attained an a%e so (at*re that & co*#d not hoe that at any #ater date & sho*#d

)e )etter fitted to e!ec*te (y desi%n. This reason ca*sed (e to de#ay so #on% that & sho*#d

fee# that & $as doin% $ron% $ere & to occ*y in de#i)eration the ti(e that yet re(ains to

(e for action. To@day then since ery oort*ne#y for the #an & hae in ie$ & haede#iered (y (ind fro( eery care Band a( hai#y a%itated )y no assions and since &


10/48

hae roc*red for (yse#f an ass*red #eis*re in a eacea)#e retire(ent & sha## at #ast

serio*s#y and free#y address (yse#f to the %enera# *heaa# of a## (y for(er oinions.

No$ for this o);ect it is not necessary that & sho*#d sho$ that a## of these are fa#se @@ &sha## erhas neer arrie at this end. *t inas(*ch as reason a#ready ers*ades (e that &

o*%ht no #ess caref*##y to $ithho#d (y assent fro( (atters $hich are not entire#y certain

and ind*)ita)#e than fro( those $hich aear to (e (anifest#y to )e fa#se if & a( a)#e tofind in each one so(e reason to do*)t this $i## s*ffice to ;*stify (y re;ectin% the $ho#e.

8nd for that end it $i## not )e re>*isite that & sho*#d e!a(ine each in artic*#ar $hich

$o*#d )e an end#ess *nderta:in%, for o$in% to the fact that the destr*ction of thefo*ndations of necessity )rin%s $ith it the do$nfa## of the rest of the edifice & sha## on#y

in the first #ace attac: those rinci#es *on $hich a## (y for(er oinions rested.

8## that * to the resent ti(e & hae acceted as (ost tr*e and certain & hae #earned

either fro( the senses or thro*%h the senses, )*t it is so(eti(es roed to (e that thesesenses are decetie and it is $iser not to tr*st entire#y to anythin% )y $hich $e hae

once )een deceied.

*t it (ay )e that a#tho*%h the senses so(eti(es deceie *s concernin% thin%s $hich are

hard#y erceti)#e or ery far a$ay there are yet (any others to )e (et $ith as to $hich$e cannot reasona)#y hae any do*)t a#tho*%h $e reco%nise the( )y their (eans. "or

e!a(#e there is the fact that & a( here seated )y the fire attired in a dressin% %o$nhain% this aer in (y hands and other si(i#ar (atters. 8nd ho$ co*#d & deny that these

hands and this )ody are (ine $ere it not erhas that & co(are (yse#f to certain

ersons deoid of sense $hose cere)e##a are so tro*)#ed and c#o*ded )y the io#entao*rs of )#ac: )i#e that they constant#y ass*re *s that they thin: they are :in%s $hen

they are rea##y >*ite oor or that they are c#othed in *r#e $hen they are rea##y $itho*t

coerin% or $ho i(a%ine that they hae an earthen$are head or are nothin% )*t

*(:ins or are (ade of %#ass. *t they are (ad and & sho*#d not )e any the #ess insane$ere & to fo##o$ e!a(#es so e!traa%ant.

8t the sa(e ti(e & (*st re(e()er that & a( a (an and that conse>*ent#y & a( in the

ha)it of s#eein% and in (y drea(s reresentin% to (yse#f the sa(e thin%s or so(eti(eseen #ess ro)a)#e thin%s than do those $ho are insane in their $a:in% (o(ents. +o$

often has it haened to (e that in the ni%ht & drea(t that & fo*nd (yse#f in this artic*#ar

#ace that & $as dressed and seated near the fire $hi#st in rea#ity & $as #yin% *ndressedin )edH 8t this (o(ent it does indeed see( to (e that it is $ith eyes a$a:e that & a(

#oo:in% at this aer, that this head $hich & (oe is not as#ee that it is de#i)erate#y and

of set *rose that & e!tend (y hand and erceie it, $hat haens in s#ee does not

aear so c#ear nor so distinct as does a## this. *t in thin:in% oer this & re(ind (yse#fthat on (any occasions & hae in s#ee )een deceied )y si(i#ar i##*sions and in d$e##in%

caref*##y on this ref#ection & see so (anifest#y that there are no certain indications )y

$hich $e (ay c#ear#y distin%*ish $a:ef*#ness fro( s#ee that & a( #ost in astonish(ent.8nd (y astonish(ent is s*ch that it is a#(ost caa)#e of ers*adin% (e that & no$ drea(.

No$ #et *s ass*(e that $e are as#ee and that a## these artic*#ars e.%. that $e oen o*r

eyes sha:e o*r head e!tend o*r hands and so on are )*t fa#se de#*sions, and #et *sref#ect that ossi)#y neither o*r hands nor o*r $ho#e )ody are s*ch as they aear to *s to

)e. 8t the sa(e ti(e $e (*st at #east confess that the thin%s $hich are reresented to *s

in s#ee are #i:e ainted reresentations $hich can on#y hae )een for(ed as the

co*nterarts of so(ethin% rea# and tr*e and that in this $ay those %enera# thin%s at #east


11/48

i.e. eyes a head hands and a $ho#e )ody are not i(a%inary thin%s )*t thin%s rea##y

e!istent. "or as a (atter of fact ainters een $hen they st*dy $ith the %reatest s:i## to

reresent sirens and satyrs )y for(s the (ost stran%e and e!traordinary cannot %ie the(nat*res $hich are entire#y ne$ )*t (ere#y (a:e a certain (ed#ey of the (e()ers of

different ani(a#s, or if their i(a%ination is e!traa%ant eno*%h to inent so(ethin% so

noe# that nothin% si(i#ar has eer )efore )een seen and that then their $or: reresents athin% *re#y fictitio*s and a)so#*te#y fa#se it is certain a## the sa(e that the co#o*rs of

$hich this is co(osed are necessari#y rea#. 8nd for the sa(e reason a#tho*%h these

%enera# thin%s to $ith Ba )ody eyes a head hands and s*ch #i:e (ay )e i(a%inary$e are )o*nd at the sa(e ti(e to confess that there are at #east so(e other o);ects yet

(ore si(#e and (ore *niersa# $hich are rea# and tr*e, and of these ;*st in the sa(e

$ay as $ith certain rea# co#o*rs a## these i(a%es of thin%s $hich d$e## in o*r tho*%hts

$hether tr*e and rea# or fa#se and fantastic are for(ed.To s*ch a c#ass of thin%s ertains cororea# nat*re in %enera# and its e!tension the fi%*re

of e!tended thin%s their >*antity or (a%nit*de and n*()er as a#so the #ace in $hich

they are the ti(e $hich (eas*res their d*ration and so on.

That is ossi)#y $hy o*r reasonin% is not *n;*st $hen $e conc#*de fro( this thatPhysics 8strono(y Medicine and a## other sciences $hich hae as their end the

consideration of co(osite thin%s are ery d*)io*s and *ncertain, )*t that 8rith(eticeo(etry and other sciences of that :ind $hich on#y treat of thin%s that are ery si(#e

and ery %enera# $itho*t ta:in% %reat tro*)#e to ascertain $hether they are act*a##y

e!istent or not contain so(e (eas*re of certainty and an e#e(ent of the ind*)ita)#e. "or$hether & a( a$a:e or as#ee t$o and three to%ether a#$ays for( fie and the s>*are

can neer hae (ore than fo*r sides and it does not see( ossi)#e that tr*ths so c#ear and

aarent can )e s*sected of any fa#sity Bor *ncertainty.

Neerthe#ess & hae #on% had fi!ed in (y (ind the )e#ief that an a##@o$erf*# od e!isted)y $ho( & hae )een created s*ch as & a(. *t ho$ do & :no$ that +e has not )ro*%ht it

to ass that there is no earth no heaen no e!tended )ody no (a%nit*de no #ace and

that neerthe#ess B& ossess the ercetions of a## these thin%s and that they see( to (eto e!ist ;*st e!act#y as & no$ see the(I 8nd )esides as & so(eti(es i(a%ine that others

deceie the(se#es in the thin%s $hich they thin: they :no$ )est ho$ do & :no$ that &

a( not deceied eery ti(e that & add t$o and three or co*nt the sides of a s>*are or;*d%e of thin%s yet si(#er if anythin% si(#er can )e i(a%inedI *t ossi)#y od has

not desired that & sho*#d )e th*s deceied for +e is said to )e s*re(e#y %ood. &f

ho$eer it is contrary to +is %oodness to hae (ade (e s*ch that & constant#y deceie

(yse#f it $o*#d a#so aear to )e contrary to +is %oodness to er(it (e to )e so(eti(esdeceied and neerthe#ess & cannot do*)t that +e does er(it this.

There (ay indeed )e those $ho $o*#d refer to deny the e!istence of a od so o$erf*#

rather than )e#iee that a## other thin%s are *ncertain. *t #et *s not oose the( for theresent and %rant that a## that is here said of a od is a fa)#e, neerthe#ess in $hateer

$ay they s*ose that & hae arried at the state of )ein% that & hae reached @@ $hether

they attri)*te it to fate or to accident or (a:e o*t that it is )y a contin*a# s*ccession ofantecedents or )y so(e other (ethod @@ since to err and deceie onese#f is a defect it is

c#ear that the %reater $i## )e the ro)a)i#ity of (y )ein% so i(erfect as to deceie (yse#f

eer as is the 8*thor to $ho( they assi%n (y ori%in the #ess o$erf*#. To these reasons

& hae certain#y nothin% to re#y )*t at the end & fee# constrained to confess that there is


12/48

nothin% in a## that & for(er#y )e#ieed to )e tr*e of $hich & cannot in so(e (eas*re

do*)t and that not (ere#y thro*%h $ant of tho*%ht or thro*%h #eity )*t for reasons

$hich are ery o$erf*# and (at*re#y considered, so that henceforth & o*%ht not the #esscaref*##y to refrain fro( %iin% credence to these oinions than to that $hich is

(anifest#y fa#se if & desire to arrie at any certainty Bin the sciences.

*t it is not s*fficient to hae (ade these re(ar:s $e (*st a#so )e caref*# to :ee the(in (ind. "or these ancient and co((on#y he#d oinions sti## reert fre>*ent#y to (y

(ind #on% and fa(i#iar c*sto( hain% %ien the( the ri%ht to occ*y (y (ind a%ainst

(y inc#ination and rendered the( a#(ost (asters of (y )e#ief, nor $i## & eer #ose theha)it of deferrin% to the( or of #acin% (y confidence in the( so #on% as & consider

the( as they rea##y are i.e. oinions in so(e (eas*re do*)tf*# as & hae ;*st sho$n and

at the sa(e ti(e hi%h#y ro)a)#e so that there is (*ch (ore reason to )e#iee in than to

deny the(. That is $hy & consider that & sha## not )e actin% a(iss if ta:in% of set*rose a contrary )e#ief & a##o$ (yse#f to )e deceied and for a certain ti(e retend

that a## these oinions are entire#y fa#se and i(a%inary *nti# at #ast hain% th*s )a#anced

(y for(er re;*dices $ith (y #atter Bso that they cannot diert (y oinions (ore to one

side than to the other (y ;*d%(ent $i## no #on%er )e do(inated )y )ad *sa%e or t*rneda$ay fro( the ri%ht :no$#ed%e of the tr*th. "or & a( ass*red that there can )e neither

eri# nor error in this co*rse and that & cannot at resent yie#d too (*ch to distr*st since& a( not considerin% the >*estion of action )*t on#y of :no$#ed%e.

& sha## then s*ose not that od $ho is s*re(e#y %ood and the fo*ntain of tr*th )*t

so(e ei# %eni*s not #ess o$erf*# than deceitf*# has e(#oyed his $ho#e ener%ies indeceiin% (e, & sha## consider that the heaens the earth co#o*rs fi%*res so*nd and a##

other e!terna# thin%s are no*%ht )*t the i##*sions and drea(s of $hich this %eni*s has

aai#ed hi(se#f in order to #ay tras for (y cred*#ity, & sha## consider (yse#f as hain% no

hands no eyes no f#esh no )#ood nor any senses yet fa#se#y )e#iein% (yse#f to ossessa## these thin%s, & sha## re(ain o)stinate#y attached to this idea and if )y this (eans it is

not in (y o$er to arrie at the :no$#ed%e of any tr*th & (ay at #east do $hat is in (y

o$er Bi.e. s*send (y ;*d%(ent and $ith fir( *rose aoid %iin% credence to anyfa#se thin% or )ein% i(osed *on )y this arch deceier ho$eer o$erf*# and

decetie he (ay )e. *t this tas: is a #a)orio*s one and insensi)#y a certain #assit*de

#eads (e into the co*rse of (y ordinary #ife. 8nd ;*st as a catie $ho in s#ee en;oys ani(a%inary #i)erty $hen he )e%ins to s*sect that his #i)erty is )*t a drea( fears to

a$a:en and consires $ith these a%reea)#e i##*sions that the decetion (ay )e

ro#on%ed so insensi)#y of (y o$n accord & fa## )ac: into (y for(er oinions and &

dread a$a:enin% fro( this s#*()er #est the #a)orio*s $a:ef*#ness $hich $o*#d fo##o$the tran>*i##ity of this reose sho*#d hae to )e sent not in day#i%ht )*t in the e!cessie

dar:ness of the diffic*#ties $hich hae ;*st )een disc*ssed.

Meditation ##Of the Nat%re of the &%!an Mind'

and that it is !ore easily (nown than the ody


13/48

The Meditation of yesterday fi##ed (y (ind $ith so (any do*)ts that it is no #on%er in

(y o$er to for%et the(. 8nd yet & do not see in $hat (anner & can reso#e the(, and

;*st as if & had a## of a s*dden fa##en into ery dee $ater & a( so disconcerted that & canneither (a:e certain of settin% (y feet on the )otto( nor can & s$i( and so s*ort

(yse#f on the s*rface. & sha## neerthe#ess (a:e an effort and fo##o$ ane$ the sa(e ath

as that on $hich & yesterday entered i.e. & sha## roceed )y settin% aside a## that in $hichthe #east do*)t co*#d )e s*osed to e!ist ;*st as if & had discoered that it $as

a)so#*te#y fa#se, and & sha## eer fo##o$ in this road *nti# & hae (et $ith so(ethin%

$hich is certain or at #east if & can do nothin% e#se *nti# & hae #earned for certain thatthere is nothin% in the $or#d that is certain. 8rchi(edes in order that he (i%ht dra$ the

terrestria# %#o)e o*t of its #ace and transort it e#se$here de(anded on#y that one oint

sho*#d )e fi!ed and i((oea)#e, in the sa(e $ay & sha## hae the ri%ht to conceie hi%h

hoes if & a( hay eno*%h to discoer one thin% on#y $hich is certain and ind*)ita)#e.& s*ose then that a## the thin%s that & see are fa#se, & ers*ade (yse#f that nothin% has

eer e!isted of a## that (y fa##acio*s (e(ory reresents to (e. & consider that & ossess

no senses, & i(a%ine that )ody fi%*re e!tension (oe(ent and #ace are )*t the fictions

of (y (ind. =hat then can )e estee(ed as tr*eI Perhas nothin% at a## *n#ess that thereis nothin% in the $or#d that is certain.

*t ho$ can & :no$ there is not so(ethin% different fro( those thin%s that & hae ;*stconsidered of $hich one cannot hae the s#i%htest do*)tI &s there not so(e od or so(e

other )ein% )y $hateer na(e $e ca## it $ho *ts these ref#ections into (y (indI That

is not necessary for is it not ossi)#e that & a( caa)#e of rod*cin% the( (yse#fI &(yse#f a( & not at #east so(ethin%I *t & hae a#ready denied that & had senses and

)ody. Jet & hesitate for $hat fo##o$s fro( thatI 8( & so deendent on )ody and senses

that & cannot e!ist $itho*t theseI *t & $as ers*aded that there $as nothin% in a## the

$or#d that there $as no heaen no earth that there $ere no (inds nor any )odies' $as &not then #i:e$ise ers*aded that & did not e!istI Not at a##, of a s*rety & (yse#f did e!ist

since & ers*aded (yse#f of so(ethin% Bor (ere#y )eca*se & tho*%ht of so(ethin%. *t

there is so(e deceier or other ery o$erf*# and ery c*nnin% $ho eer e(#oys hisin%en*ity in deceiin% (e. Then $itho*t do*)t & e!ist a#so if he deceies (e and #et hi(

deceie (e as (*ch as he $i## he can neer ca*se (e to )e nothin% so #on% as & thin:

that & a( so(ethin%. So that after hain% ref#ected $e## and caref*##y e!a(ined a## thin%s$e (*st co(e to the definite conc#*sion that this roosition' & a( & e!ist is necessari#y

tr*e each ti(e that & rono*nce it or that & (enta##y conceie it.

*t & do not yet :no$ c#ear#y eno*%h $hat & a( & $ho a( certain that & a(, and hence &

(*st )e caref*# to see that & do not i(r*dent#y ta:e so(e other o);ect in #ace of (yse#fand th*s that & do not %o astray in resect of this :no$#ed%e that & ho#d to )e the (ost

certain and (ost eident of a## that & hae for(er#y #earned. That is $hy & sha## no$

consider ane$ $hat & )e#ieed (yse#f to )e )efore & e()ar:ed *on these #ast ref#ections,and of (y for(er oinions & sha## $ithdra$ a## that (i%ht een in a s(a## de%ree )e

ina#idated )y the reasons $hich & hae ;*st )ro*%ht for$ard in order that there (ay )e

nothin% at a## #eft )eyond $hat is a)so#*te#y certain and ind*)ita)#e.=hat then did & for(er#y )e#iee (yse#f to )eI 3ndo*)ted#y & )e#ieed (yse#f to )e a

(an. *t $hat is a (anI Sha## & say a reasona)#e ani(a#I Certain#y not, for then & sho*#d

hae to in>*ire $hat an ani(a# is and $hat is reasona)#e, and th*s fro( a sin%#e >*estion

& sho*#d insensi)#y fa## into an infinit*de of others (ore diffic*#t, and & sho*#d not $ish to


14/48

$aste the #itt#e ti(e and #eis*re re(ainin% to (e in tryin% to *nrae# s*)t#eties #i:e these.

*t & sha## rather sto here to consider the tho*%hts $hich of the(se#es srin% * in (y

(ind and $hich $ere not insired )y anythin% )eyond (y o$n nat*re a#one $hen &a#ied (yse#f to the consideration of (y )ein%. &n the first #ace the & considered

(yse#f as hain% a face hands ar(s and a## that syste( of (e()ers co(osed on )ones

and f#esh as seen in a corse $hich & desi%nated )y the na(e of )ody. &n addition to this &considered that & $as no*rished that & $a#:ed that & fe#t and that & tho*%ht and &

referred a## these actions to the so*#' )*t & did not sto to consider $hat the so*# $as or if

& did sto & i(a%ined that it $as so(ethin% e!tre(e#y rare and s*)t#e #i:e a $ind af#a(e or an ether $hich $as sread thro*%ho*t (y %rosser arts. 8s to )ody & had no

(anner of do*)t a)o*t its nat*re )*t tho*%ht & had a ery c#ear :no$#ed%e of it, and if &

had desired to e!#ain it accordin% to the notions that & had then for(ed of it & sho*#d

hae descri)ed it th*s' y the )ody & *nderstand a## that $hich can )e defined )y acertain fi%*re' so(ethin% $hich can )e confined in a certain #ace and $hich can fi## a

%ien sace in s*ch a $ay that eery other )ody $i## )e e!c#*ded fro( it, $hich can )e

erceied either )y to*%h or )y si%ht or )y hearin% or )y taste or )y s(e##' $hich can

)e (oed in (any $ays not in tr*th )y itse#f )*t )y so(ethin% $hich is forei%n to it )y$hich it is to*ched Band fro( $hich it receies i(ressions' for to hae the o$er of

se#f@(oe(ent as a#so of fee#in% or of thin:in% & did not consider to aertain to thenat*re of )ody' on the contrary & $as rather astonished to find that fac*#ties si(i#ar to

the( e!isted in so(e )odies.

*t $hat a( & no$ that & s*ose that there is a certain %eni*s $hich is e!tre(e#yo$erf*# and if & (ay say so (a#icio*s $ho e(#oys a## his o$ers in deceiin% (eI

Can & affir( that & ossess the #east of a## those thin%s $hich & hae ;*st said ertain to the

nat*re of )odyI & a*se to consider & reo#e a## these thin%s in (y (ind and & find none

of $hich & can say that it ertains to (e. &t $o*#d )e tedio*s to sto to en*(erate the(.7et *s ass to the attri)*tes of so*# and see if there is any one $hich is in (eI =hat of

n*trition or $a#:in% Bthe first (entionedI *t if it is so that & hae no )ody it is a#so tr*e

that & can neither $a#: nor ta:e no*rish(ent. 8nother attri)*te is sensation. *t onecannot fee# $itho*t )ody and )esides & hae tho*%ht & erceied (any thin%s d*rin%

s#ee that & reco%nised in (y $a:in% (o(ents as not hain% )een e!erienced at a##.

=hat of thin:in%I & find here that tho*%ht is an attri)*te that )e#on%s to (e, it a#onecannot )e searated fro( (e. & a( & e!ist that is certain. *t ho$ oftenI K*st $hen &

thin:, for it (i%ht ossi)#y )e the case if & ceased entire#y to thin: that & sho*#d #i:e$ise

cease a#to%ether to e!ist. & do not no$ ad(it anythin% $hich is not necessari#y tr*e' to

sea: acc*rate#y & a( not (ore than a thin% $hich thin:s that is to say a (ind or a so*#or an *nderstandin% or a reason $hich are ter(s $hose si%nificance $as for(er#y

*n:no$n to (e. & a( ho$eer a rea# thin% and rea##y e!ist, )*t $hat thin%I & hae

ans$ered' a thin% $hich thin:s.8nd $hat (oreI & sha## e!ercise (y i(a%ination Bin order to see if & a( not so(ethin%

(ore. & a( not a co##ection of (e()ers $hich $e ca## the h*(an )ody' & a( not a s*)t#e

air distri)*ted thro*%h these (e()ers & a( not a $ind a fire a ao*r a )reath noranythin% at a## $hich & can i(a%ine or conceie, )eca*se & hae ass*(ed that a## these

$ere nothin%. =itho*t chan%in% that s*osition & find that & on#y #eae (yse#f certain of

the fact that & a( so(e$hat. *t erhas it is tr*e that these sa(e thin%s $hich &

s*osed $ere non@e!istent )eca*se they are *n:no$n to (e are rea##y not different


15/48

fro( the se#f $hich & :no$. & a( not s*re a)o*t this & sha## not dis*te a)o*t it no$, &

can on#y %ie ;*d%(ent on thin%s that are :no$n to (e. & :no$ that & e!ist and & in>*ire

$hat & a( & $ho( & :no$ to e!ist. *t it is ery certain that the :no$#ed%e of (ye!istence ta:en in its recise si%nificance does not deend on thin%s $hose e!istence is

not yet :no$n to (e, conse>*ent#y it does not deend on those $hich & can fei%n in

i(a%ination. 8nd indeed the ery ter( fei%n in i(a%ination10

roes to (e (y error for &rea##y do this if & i(a%e (yse#f a so(ethin% since to i(a%ine is nothin% e#se than to

conte(#ate the fi%*re or i(a%e of a cororea# thin%. *t & a#ready :no$ for certain that &

a( and that it (ay )e that a## these i(a%es and sea:in% %enera##y a## thin%s that re#ateto the nat*re of )ody are nothin% )*t drea(s Band chi(eras. "or this reason & see c#ear#y

that & hae as #itt#e reason to say) shall sti'#late '" i'agination in order to kno! 'ore

distinctl" !hat ) a',than if & $ere to say) a' no! a!ake, and ) perceive so'e!hat that

is real and tr#e* b#t beca#se ) do not "et perceive it distinctl" eno#gh, ) shall go to sleepof express p#rpose, so that '" drea's 'a" represent the perception !ith greatest tr#th

and evidence.8nd th*s & :no$ for certain that nothin% of a## that & can *nderstand )y

(eans of (y i(a%ination )e#on%s to this :no$#ed%e $hich & hae of (yse#f and that it is

necessary to reca## the (ind fro( this (ode of tho*%ht $ith the *t(ost di#i%ence in orderthat it (ay )e a)#e to :no$ its o$n nat*re $ith erfect distinctness.

*t $hat then a( &I 8 thin% $hich thin:s. =hat is a thin% $hich thin:sI &t is a thin%$hich do*)ts *nderstands Bconceies affir(s denies $i##s ref*ses $hich a#so

i(a%ines and fee#s.

Certain#y it is no s(a## (atter if a## these thin%s ertain to (y nat*re. *t $hy sho*#dthey not so ertainI 8( & not that )ein% $ho no$ do*)ts near#y eerythin% $ho

neerthe#ess *nderstands certain thin%s $ho affir(s that one on#y is tr*e $ho denies a##

the others $ho desires to :no$ (ore is aerse fro( )ein% deceied $ho i(a%ines (any

thin%s so(eti(es indeed desite his $i## and $ho erceies (any #i:e$ise as )y theinterention of the )odi#y or%ansI &s there nothin% in a## this $hich is as tr*e as it is

certain that & e!ist een tho*%h & sho*#d a#$ays s#ee and tho*%h he $ho has %ien (e

)ein% e(#oyed a## his in%en*ity in deceiin% (eI &s there #i:e$ise any one of theseattri)*tes $hich can )e distin%*ished fro( (y tho*%ht or $hich (i%ht )e said to )e

searated fro( (yse#fI "or it is so eident of itse#f that it is & $ho do*)ts $ho

*nderstands and $ho desires that there is no reason here to add anythin% to e!#ain it.8nd & hae certain#y the o$er of i(a%inin% #i:e$ise, for a#tho*%h it (ay haen as &

for(er#y s*osed5 that none of the thin%s $hich & i(a%ine are tr*e neerthe#ess this

o$er of i(a%inin% does not cease to )e rea##y in *se and it for(s art of (y tho*%ht.

"ina##y & a( the sa(e $ho fee#s that is to say $ho erceies certain thin%s as )y theor%ans of sense since it tr*th & see #i%ht & hear noise & fee# heat. *t it $i## )e said that

these heno(ena are fa#se and that & a( drea(in%. 7et it )e so, sti## it is at #east >*ite

certain that it see(s to (e that & see #i%ht that & hear noise and that & fee# heat. Thatcannot )e fa#se, roer#y sea:in% it is $hat is in (e ca##ed fee#in%, 11and *sed in this

recise sense that is no other thin% than thin:in%.

"ro( this ti(e & )e%in to :no$ $hat & a( $ith a #itt#e (ore c#earness and distinction than)efore, )*t neerthe#ess it sti## see(s to (e and & cannot reent (yse#f fro( thin:in%

that cororea# thin%s $hose i(a%es are fra(ed )y tho*%ht $hich are tested )y the

senses are (*ch (ore distinct#y :no$n than that o)sc*re art of (e $hich does not

co(e *nder the i(a%ination. 8#tho*%h rea##y it is ery stran%e to say that & :no$ and


16/48

*nderstand (ore distinct#y these thin%s $hose e!istence see(s to (e d*)io*s $hich are

*n:no$n to (e and $hich do not )e#on% to (e than others of the tr*th of $hich & a(

coninced $hich are :no$n to (e and $hich ertain to (y rea# nat*re in a $ord than(yse#f. *t & see c#ear#y ho$ the case stands' (y (ind #oes to $ander and cannot yet

s*ffer itse#f to )e retained $ithin the ;*st #i(its of tr*th. ery %ood #et *s once (ore %ie

it the freest rein so that $hen after$ards $e seie the roer occasion for *##in% * it(ay the (ore easi#y )e re%*#ated and contro##ed.

7et *s )e%in )y considerin% the co((onest (atters those $hich $e )e#iee to )e the

(ost distinct#y co(rehended to $it the )odies $hich $e to*ch and see, not indeed)odies in %enera# for these %enera# ideas are *s*a##y a #itt#e (ore conf*sed )*t #et *s

consider one )ody in artic*#ar. 7et *s ta:e for e!a(#e this iece of $a!' it has )een

ta:en >*ite fresh#y fro( the hie and it has not yet #ost the s$eetness of the honey $hich

it contains, it sti## retains so(e$hat of the odo*r of the f#o$ers fro( $hich it has )eenc*##ed, its co#o*r its fi%*re its sie are aarent, it is hard co#d easi#y hand#ed and if

yo* stri:e it $ith the fin%er it $i## e(it a so*nd. "ina##y a## the thin%s $hich are re>*isite

to ca*se *s distinct#y to reco%nise a )ody are (et $ith in it. *t notice that $hi#e & sea:

and aroach the fire $hat re(ained of the taste is e!ha#ed the s(e## eaorates theco#o*r a#ters the fi%*re is destroyed the sie increases it )eco(es #i>*id it heats

scarce#y can one hand#e it and $hen one stri:es it no$ so*nd is e(itted. Does the sa(e$a! re(ain after this chan%eI =e (*st confess that it re(ains, none $o*#d ;*d%e

other$ise. =hat then did & :no$ so distinct#y in this iece of $a!I &t co*#d certain#y )e

nothin% of a## that the senses )ro*%ht to (y notice since a## these thin%s $hich fa## *ndertaste s(e## si%ht to*ch and hearin% are fo*nd to )e chan%ed and yet the sa(e $a!

re(ains.

Perhas it $as $hat & no$ thin: i. that this $a! $as not that s$eetness of honey nor

that a%reea)#e scent of f#o$ers nor that artic*#ar $hiteness nor that fi%*re nor thatso*nd )*t si(#y a )ody $hich a #itt#e $hi#e )efore aeared to(e as erceti)#e *nder

these for(s and $hich is no$ erceti)#e *nder others. *t $hat recise#y is it that &

i(a%ine $hen & for( s*ch concetionsI 7et *s attentie#y consider this and a)stractin%fro( a## that does not )e#on% to the $a! #et *s see $hat re(ains. Certain#y nothin%

re(ains e!cetin% a certain e!tended thin% $hich is f#e!i)#e and (oa)#e. *t $hat is the

(eanin% of f#e!i)#e and (oa)#eI &s it not that & i(a%ine that this iece of $a! )ein%ro*nd is caa)#e of )eco(in% s>*are and of assin% fro( a s>*are to a trian%*#ar fi%*reI

No certain#y it is not that since & i(a%ine it ad(its of an infinit*de of si(i#ar chan%es

and & neerthe#ess do not :no$ ho$ to co(ass the infinit*de )y (y i(a%ination and

conse>*ent#y this concetion $hich & hae of the $a! is not )ro*%ht a)o*t )y the fac*#tyof i(a%ination. =hat no$ is this e!tensionI &s it not a#so *n:no$nI "or it )eco(es

%reater $hen the $a! is (e#ted %reater $hen it is )oi#ed and %reater sti## $hen the heat

increases, and & sho*#d not conceie Bc#ear#y accordin% to tr*th $hat $a! is if & did notthin: that een this iece that $e are considerin% is caa)#e of receiin% (ore ariations

in e!tension than & hae eer i(a%ined. =e (*st then %rant that & co*#d not een

*nderstand thro*%h the i(a%ination $hat this iece of $a! is and that it is (y (ind12a#one $hich erceies it. & say this iece of $a! in artic*#ar for as to $a! in %enera# it is

yet c#earer. *t $hat is this iece of $a! $hich cannot )e *nderstood e!cetin% )y the

B*nderstandin% or (indI &t is certain#y the sa(e that & see to*ch i(a%ine and fina##y it

is the sa(e $hich & hae a#$ays )e#ieed it to )e fro( the )e%innin%. *t $hat (*st


17/48

artic*#ar#y )e o)sered is that its ercetion is neither an act of ision nor of to*ch nor

of i(a%ination and has neer )een s*ch a#tho*%h it (ay hae aeared for(er#y to )e so

)*t on#y an int*ition1Aof the (ind $hich (ay )e i(erfect and conf*sed as it $asfor(er#y or c#ear and distinct as it is at resent accordin% as (y attention is (ore or #ess

directed to the e#e(ents $hich are fo*nd in it and of $hich it is co(osed.

Jet in the (eanti(e & a( %reat#y astonished $hen & consider Bthe %reat fee)#eness of(ind and its roneness to fa## Binsensi)#y into error, for a#tho*%h $itho*t %iin%

e!ression to (y tho*%ht & consider a## this in (y o$n (ind $ords often i(ede (e and

& a( a#(ost deceied )y the ter(s of ordinary #an%*a%e. "or $e say that $e see the sa(e$a! if it is resent and not that $e si(#y ;*d%e that it is the sa(e fro( its hain% the

sa(e co#o*r and fi%*re. "ro( this & sho*#d conc#*de that & :ne$ the $a! )y (eans of

ision and not si(#y )y the int*ition of the (ind, *n#ess )y chance & re(e()er that

$hen #oo:in% fro( a $indo$ and sayin% & see (en $ho ass in the street & rea##y do notsee the( )*t infer that $hat & see is (en ;*st as & say that & see $a!. 8nd yet $hat do &

see fro( the $indo$ )*t hats and coats $hich (ay coer a*to(atic (achinesI Jet &

;*d%e these to )e (en. 8nd si(i#ar#y so#e#y )y the fac*#ty of ;*d%(ent $hich rests in (y

(ind & co(rehend that $hich & )e#ieed & sa$ $ith (y eyes.8 (an $ho (a:es it his ai( to raise his :no$#ed%e a)oe the co((on sho*#d )e

asha(ed to derie the occasion for do*)tin% fro( the for(s of seech inented )y the*#%ar, & refer to ass on and consider $hether & had a (ore eident and erfect

concetion of $hat the $a! $as $hen & first erceied it and $hen & )e#ieed & :ne$ it

)y (eans of the e!terna# senses or at #east )y the co((on sense14as it is ca##ed that is tosay )y the i(a%inatie fac*#ty or $hether (y resent concetion is c#earer no$ that &

hae (ost caref*##y e!a(ined $hat it is and in $hat $ay it can )e :no$n. &t $o*#d

certain#y )e a)s*rd to do*)t as to this. "or $hat $as there in this first ercetion $hich

$as distinctI =hat $as there $hich (i%ht not as $e## hae )een erceied )y any of theani(a#sI *t $hen & distin%*ish the $a! fro( its e!terna# for(s and $hen ;*st as if &

had ta:en fro( it its est(ents & consider it >*ite na:ed it is certain that a#tho*%h so(e

error (ay sti## )e fo*nd in (y ;*d%(ent & can neerthe#ess not erceie it th*s $itho*t ah*(an (ind.

*t fina##y $hat sha## & say of this (ind that is of (yse#f for * to this oint & do not

ad(it in (yse#f anythin% )*t (indI =hat then & $ho see( to erceie this iece of $a!so distinct#y do & not :no$ (yse#f not on#y $ith (*ch (ore tr*th and certainty )*t a#so

$ith (*ch (ore distinctness and c#earnessI "or if & ;*d%e that the $a! is or e!ists fro(

the fact that & see it it certain#y fo##o$s (*ch (ore c#ear#y that & a( or that & e!ist (yse#f

fro( the fact that & see it. "or it (ay )e that $hat & see is not rea##y $a! it (ay a#so )ethat & do not ossess eyes $ith $hich to see anythin%, )*t it cannot )e that $hen & see or

for & no #on%er ta:e acco*nt of the distinction5 $hen & thin: & see that & (yse#f $ho

thin: a( no*%ht. So if & ;*d%e that the $a! e!ists fro( the fact that & to*ch it the sa(ethin% $i## fo##o$ to $it that & a(, and if & ;*d%e that (y i(a%ination or so(e other

ca*se $hateer it is ers*ades (e that the $a! e!ists & sha## sti## conc#*de the sa(e.

8nd $hat & hae here re(ar:ed of $a! (ay )e a#ied to a## other thin%s $hich aree!terna# to (e Band $hich are (et $ith o*tside of (e. 8nd f*rther if the Bnotion or

ercetion of $a! has see(ed to (e c#earer and (ore distinct not on#y after the si%ht or

the to*ch )*t a#so after (any other ca*ses hae rendered it >*ite (anifest to (e $ith

ho$ (*ch (ore Beidence and distinctness (*st it )e said that & no$ :no$ (yse#f since


18/48

a## the reasons $hich contri)*te to the :no$#ed%e of $a! or any other )ody $hateer

are yet )etter roofs of the nat*re of (y (indH 8nd there are so (any other thin%s in the

(ind itse#f $hich (ay contri)*te to the e#*cidation of its nat*re that those $hich deendon )ody s*ch as these ;*st (entioned hard#y (erit )ein% ta:en into acco*nt.

*t fina##y here & a( hain% insensi)#y reerted to the oint & desired for since it is no$

(anifest to (e that een )odies are not roer#y sea:in% :no$n )y the senses or )y thefac*#ty of i(a%ination )*t )y the *nderstandin% on#y and since they are not :no$n fro(

the fact that they are seen or to*ched )*t on#y )eca*se they are *nderstood & see c#ear#y

that there is nothin% $hich is easier for (e to :no$ than (y (ind. *t )eca*se it isdiffic*#t to rid onese#f so ro(t#y of an oinion to $hich one $as acc*sto(ed for so

#on% it $i## )e $e## that & sho*#d ha#t a #itt#e at this oint so that )y the #en%th of (y

(editation & (ay (ore dee#y i(rint on (y (e(ory this ne$ :no$#ed%e.

Meditation ###Of God) that &e exists

& sha## no$ c#ose (y eyes & sha## sto (y ears & sha## ca## a$ay a## (y senses & sha##

efface een fro( (y tho*%hts a## the i(a%es of cororea# thin%s or at #east for that is

hard#y ossi)#e5 & sha## estee( the( as ain and fa#se, and th*s ho#din% conerse on#y$ith (yse#f and considerin% (y o$n nat*re & sha## try #itt#e )y #itt#e to reach a )etter

:no$#ed%e of and a (ore fa(i#iar ac>*aintanceshi $ith (yse#f. & a( a thin% that thin:s

that is to say that do*)ts affir(s denies that :no$s a fe$ thin%s that is i%norant of(any Bthat #oes that hates that $i##s that desires that a#so i(a%ines and erceies, for

as & re(ar:ed )efore a#tho*%h the thin%s $hich & erceie and i(a%ine are erhas

nothin% at a## aart fro( (e and in the(se#es & a( neerthe#ess ass*red that these(odes of tho*%ht that & ca## ercetions and i(a%inations inas(*ch on#y as they are(odes of tho*%ht certain#y reside Band are (et $ith in (e.

8nd in the #itt#e that & hae ;*st said & thin: & hae s*((ed * a## that & rea##y :no$ or at

#east a## that hitherto & $as a$are that & :ne$. &n order to try to e!tend (y :no$#ed%ef*rther & sha## no$ #oo: aro*nd (ore caref*##y and see $hether & cannot sti## discoer in

(yse#f so(e other thin%s $hich & hae not hitherto erceied. & a( certain that & a( a

thin% $hich thin:s, )*t do & not then #i:e$ise :no$ $hat is re>*isite to render (e certainof a tr*thI Certain#y in this first :no$#ed%e there is nothin% that ass*res (e of its tr*th

e!cetin% the c#ear and distinct ercetion of that $hich & state $hich $o*#d not indeed

s*ffice to ass*re (e that $hat & say is tr*e if it co*#d eer haen that a thin% $hich &

conceied so c#ear#y and distinct#y co*#d )e fa#se, and accordin%#y it see(s to (e thata#ready & can esta)#ish as a %enera# r*#e that a## thin%s $hich & erceie1ery c#ear#y and

ery distinct#y are tr*e.

8t the sa(e ti(e & hae )efore receied and ad(itted (any thin%s to )e ery certain and(anifest $hich yet & after$ards reco%nised as )ein% d*)io*s. =hat then $ere these

thin%sI They $ere the earth s:y stars and a## other o);ects $hich & arehended )y

(eans of the senses. *t $hat did & c#ear#y Band distinct#y erceie in the(I Nothin%(ore than that the ideas or tho*%hts of these thin%s $ere resented to (y (ind. 8nd not


19/48

een no$ do & deny that these ideas are (et $ith in (e. *t there $as yet another thin%

$hich & affir(ed and $hich o$in% to the ha)it $hich & had for(ed of )e#iein% it &

tho*%ht & erceied ery c#ear#y a#tho*%h in tr*th & did not erceie it at a## to $it thatthere $ere o);ects o*tside of (e fro( $hich these ideas roceeded and to $hich they

$ere entire#y si(i#ar. 8nd it $as in this that & erred or if erchance (y ;*d%(ent $as

correct this $as not d*e to any :no$#ed%e arisin% fro( (y ercetion.*t $hen & too: anythin% ery si(#e and easy in the shere of arith(etic or %eo(etry

into consideration e.%. that t$o and three to%ether (ade fie and other thin%s of the sort

$ere not these resent to (y (ind so c#ear#y as to ena)#e (e to affir( that they $eretr*eI Certain#y if & ;*d%ed that since s*ch (atters co*#d )e do*)ted this $o*#d not hae

)een so for any other reason than that it ca(e into (y (ind that erhas a od (i%ht

hae endo$ed (e $ith s*ch a nat*re that & (ay hae )een deceied een concernin%

thin%s $hich see(ed to (e (ost (anifest. *t eery ti(e that this reconceied oinionof the soerei%n o$er of a od resents itse#f to (y tho*%ht & a( constrained to

confess that it is easy to +i( if +e $ishes it to ca*se (e to err een in (atters in $hich

& )e#iee (yse#f to hae the )est eidence. 8nd on the other hand a#$ays $hen & direct

(y attention to thin%s $hich & )e#iee (yse#f to erceie ery c#ear#y & a( so ers*adedof their tr*th that & #et (yse#f )rea: o*t into $ords s*ch as these' 7et $ho $i## deceie

(e +e can neer ca*se (e to )e nothin% $hi#e & thin: that & a( or so(e day ca*se it to)e tr*e to say that & hae neer )een it )ein% tr*e no$ to say that & a( or that t$o and

three (a:e (ore or #ess than fie or any s*ch thin% in $hich & see a (anifest

contradiction. 8nd certain#y since & hae no reason to )e#iee that there is a od $ho isa deceier and as & hae not yet satisfied (yse#f that there is a od at a## the reason for

do*)t $hich deends on this oinion a#one is ery s#i%ht and so to sea: (etahysica#.

*t in order to )e a)#e a#to%ether to re(oe it & (*st in>*ire $hether there is a od as

soon as the occasion resents itse#f, and if & find that there is a od & (*st a#so in>*ire$hether +e (ay )e a deceier, for $itho*t a :no$#ed%e of these t$o tr*ths & do not see

that & can eer )e certain of anythin%.

8nd in order that & (ay hae an oort*nity of in>*irin% into this in an order#y $ayB$itho*t interr*tin% the order of (editation $hich & hae roosed to (yse#f and $hich

is #itt#e )y #itt#e to ass fro( the notions $hich & find first of a## in (y (ind to those

$hich & sha## #ater on discoer in it it is re>*isite that & sho*#d here diide (y tho*%htsinto certain :inds and that & sho*#d consider in $hich of these :inds there is roer#y

sea:in% tr*th or error to )e fo*nd. Of (y tho*%hts so(e are so to sea: i(a%es of the

thin%s and to these a#one is the tit#e idearoer#y a#ied, e!a(#es are (y tho*%ht of a

(an or of a chi(era of heaen of an an%e# or Been of od. *t other tho*%hts ossessother for(s as $e##. "or e!a(#e in $i##in% fearin% aroin% denyin% tho*%h & a#$ays

erceie so(ethin% as the s*);ect of the action of (y (ind16yet )y this action & a#$ays

add so(ethin% e#se to the idea1$hich & hae of that thin%, and of the tho*%hts of this:ind so(e are ca##ed o#itions or affections and others ;*d%(ents.

No$ as to $hat concerns ideas if $e consider the( on#y in the(se#es and do not re#ate

the( to anythin% e#se )eyond the(se#es they cannot roer#y sea:in% )e fa#se, for$hether & i(a%ine a %oat or a chi(era it is not #ess tr*e that & i(a%ine the one that the

other. =e (*st not fear #i:e$ise that fa#sity can enter into $i## and into affections for

a#tho*%h & (ay desire ei# thin%s or een thin%s that neer e!isted it is not the #ess tr*e

that & desire the(. Th*s there re(ains no (ore than the ;*d%(ents $hich $e (a:e in


20/48

$hich & (*st ta:e the %reatest care not o deceie (yse#f. *t the rincia# error and the

co((onest $hich $e (ay (eet $ith in the( consists in (y ;*d%in% that the ideas $hich

are in (e are si(i#ar or confor(a)#e to the thin%s $hich are o*tside (e, for $itho*tdo*)t if & considered the ideas on#y as certain (odes of (y tho*%hts $itho*t tryin% to

re#ate the( to anythin% )eyond they co*#d scarce#y %ie (e (ateria# for error.

*t a(on% these ideas so(e aear to (e to )e innate so(e adentitio*s and others to)e for(ed Bor inented )y (yse#f, for as & hae the o$er of *nderstandin% $hat is

ca##ed a thin% or a tr*th or a tho*%ht it aears to (e that & ho#d this o$er fro( no

other so*rce than (y o$n nat*re. *t if & no$ hear so(e so*nd if & see the s*n or fee#heat & hae hitherto ;*d%ed that these sensations roceeded fro( certain thin%s that e!ist

o*tside of (e, and fina##y it aears to (e that sirens hio%ryhs and the #i:e are

for(ed o*t of (y o$n (ind. *t a%ain & (ay ossi)#y ers*ade (yse#f that a## these

ideas are of the nat*re of those $hich & ter( adentitio*s or e#se that they are a## innateor a## fictitio*s' for & hae not yet c#ear#y discoered their tr*e ori%in.

8nd (y rincia# tas: in this #ace is to consider in resect to those ideas $hich aear

to (e to roceed fro( certain o);ects that are o*tside (e $hat are the reasons $hich

ca*se (e to thin: the( si(i#ar to these o);ects. &t see(s indeed in the first #ace that & a(ta*%ht this #esson )y nat*re, and second#y & e!erience in (yse#f that these ideas do not

deend on (y $i## nor therefore on (yse#f @@ for they often resent the(se#es to (y(ind in site of (y $i##. K*st no$ for instance $hether & $i## or $hether & do not $i## &

fee# heat and th*s & ers*ade (yse#f that this fee#in% or at #east this idea of heat is

rod*ced in (e )y so(ethin% $hich is different fro( (e i.e. )y the heat of the fire near$hich & sit. 8nd nothin% see(s to (e (ore o)io*s than to ;*d%e that this o);ect i(rints

its #i:eness rather than anythin% e#se *on (e.

No$ & (*st discoer $hether these roofs are s*fficient#y stron% and conincin%. =hen &

say that & a( so instr*cted )y nat*re & (ere#y (ean a certain sontaneo*s inc#ination$hich i(e#s (e to )e#iee in this connection and not a nat*ra# #i%ht $hich (a:es (e

reco%nise that it is tr*e. *t these t$o thin%s are ery different, for & cannot do*)t that

$hich the nat*ra# #i%ht ca*ses (e to )e#iee to )e tr*e as for e!a(#e it has sho$n (ethat & a( fro( the fact that & do*)t or other facts of the sa(e :ind. 8nd & ossess no

other fac*#ty $here)y to distin%*ish tr*th fro( fa#sehood $hich can teach (e that $hat

this #i%ht sho$s (e to )e tr*e is not rea##y tr*e and no other fac*#ty that is e>*a##ytr*st$orthy. *t as far as Baarent#y nat*ra# i(*#ses are concerned & hae fre>*ent#y

re(ar:ed $hen & had to (a:e actie choice )et$een irt*e and ice that they often

eno*%h #ed (e to the art that $as $orse, and this is $hy & do not see any reason for

fo##o$in% the( in $hat re%ards tr*th and error.8nd as to the other reason $hich is that these ideas (*st roceed fro( o);ects o*tside

(e since they do not deend on (y $i## & do not find it any the (ore conincin%. "or

;*st as these i(*#ses of $hich & hae so:en are fo*nd in (e not$ithstandin% that theydo not a#$ays conc*r $ith (y $i## so erhas there is in (e so(e fac*#ty fitted to

rod*ce these ideas $itho*t the assistance of any e!terna# thin%s een tho*%h it is not yet

:no$n )y (e, ;*st as aarent#y they hae hitherto a#$ays )een fo*nd in (e d*rin%s#ee $itho*t the aid of any e!terna# o);ects.

8nd fina##y tho*%h they did roceed fro( o);ects different fro( (yse#f it is not a

necessary conse>*ence that they sho*#d rese()#e these. On the contrary & hae noticed

that in (any cases there $as a %reat difference )et$een the o);ect and its idea. & find for


21/48

e!a(#e t$o co(#ete#y dierse ideas of the s*n in (y (ind, the one deries its ori%in

fro( the senses and sho*#d )e #aced in the cate%ory of adentitio*s ideas, accordin% to

this idea the s*n see(s to )e e!tre(e#y s(a##, )*t the other is deried fro( astrono(ica#reasonin%s i.e. is e#icited fro( certain notions that are innate in (e or e#se it is for(ed

)y (e in so(e other (anner, in accordance $ith it the s*n aears to )e seera# ti(es

%reater than the earth. These t$o ideas cannot indeed )oth rese()#e the sa(e s*n andreason (a:es (e )e#iee that the one $hich see(s to hae ori%inated direct#y fro( the

s*n itse#f is the one $hich is (ost dissi(i#ar to it.

8## this ca*ses (e to )e#iee that *nti# the resent ti(e it has not )een )y a ;*d%(ent that$as certain Bor re(editated )*t on#y )y a sort of )#ind i(*#se that & )e#ieed that

thin%s e!isted o*tside of and different fro( (e $hich )y the or%ans of (y senses or )y

so(e other (ethod $hateer it (i%ht )e coneyed these ideas or i(a%es to (e Band

i(rinted on (e their si(i#it*des.*t there is yet another (ethod of in>*irin% $hether any of the o);ects of $hich & hae

ideas $ithin (e e!ist o*tside of (e. &f ideas are on#y ta:en as certain (odes of tho*%ht &

reco%nise a(on%st the( no difference or ine>*a#ity and a## aear to roceed fro( (e in

the sa(e (anner, )*t $hen $e consider the( as i(a%es one reresentin% one thin% andthe other another it is c#ear that they are ery different one fro( the other. There is no

do*)t that those $hich reresent to (e s*)stances are so(ethin% (ore and contain so tosea: (ore o);ectie rea#ity $ithin the( Bthat is to say )y reresentation articiate in a

hi%her de%ree of )ein% or erfection than those that si(#y reresent (odes or accidents,

and that idea a%ain )y $hich & *nderstand a s*re(e od eterna# infinite Bi((*ta)#eo(niscient o(niotent and Creator of a## thin%s $hich are o*tside of +i(se#f has

certain#y (ore o);ectie rea#ity in itse#f than those ideas )y $hich finite s*)stances are

reresented.

No$ it is (anifest )y the nat*ra# #i%ht that there (*st at #east )e as (*ch rea#ity in theefficient and tota# ca*se as in its effect. "or ray $hence can the effect derie its rea#ity

if not fro( its ca*seI 8nd in $hat $ay can this ca*se co((*nicate this rea#ity to it

*n#ess it ossessed it in itse#fI 8nd fro( this it fo##o$s not on#y that so(ethin% cannotroceed fro( nothin% )*t #i:e$ise that $hat is (ore erfect @@ that is to say $hich has

(ore rea#ity $ithin itse#f @@ cannot roceed fro( the #ess erfect. 8nd this is not on#y

eident#y tr*e of those effects $hich ossess act*a# or for(a# rea#ity )*t a#so of the ideasin $hich $e consider (ere#y $hat is ter(ed o);ectie rea#ity. To ta:e an e!a(#e the

stone $hich has not yet e!isted not on#y cannot no$ co((ence to )e *n#ess it has )een

rod*ced )y so(ethin% $hich ossesses $ithin itse#f either for(a##y or e(inent#y a##

that enters into the co(osition of the stone Bi.e. it (*st ossess the sa(e thin%s or other(ore e!ce##ent thin%s than those $hich e!ist in the stone and heat can on#y )e rod*ced

in a s*);ect in $hich it did not reio*s#y e!ist )y a ca*se that is of an order Bde%ree or

:ind at #east as erfect as heat and so in a## other cases. *t f*rther the idea of heat orof a stone cannot e!ist in (e *n#ess it has )een #aced $ithin (e )y so(e ca*se $hich

ossesses $ithin it at #east as (*ch rea#ity as that $hich & conceie to e!ist in the heat or

the stone. "or a#tho*%h this ca*se does not trans(it anythin% of its act*a# or for(a# rea#ityto (y idea $e (*st not for that reason i(a%ine that it is necessari#y a #ess rea# ca*se, $e

(*st re(e()er that Bsince eery idea is a $or: of the (ind its nat*re is s*ch that it

de(ands of itse#f no other for(a# rea#ity than that $hich it )orro$s fro( (y tho*%ht of

$hich it is on#y a (ode Bi.e. a (anner or $ay of thin:in%. *t in order that an idea


22/48

sho*#d contain so(e one certain o);ectie rea#ity rather than another it (*st $itho*t

do*)t derie it fro( so(e ca*se in $hich there is at #east as (*ch for(a# rea#ity as this

idea contains of o);ectie rea#ity. "or if $e i(a%ine that so(ethin% is fo*nd in an idea$hich is not fo*nd in the ca*se it (*st then hae )een deried fro( no*%ht, )*t ho$eer

i(erfect (ay )e this (ode of )ein% )y $hich a thin% is o);ectie#y Bor )y

reresentation in the *nderstandin% )y its idea $e cannot certain#y say that this (ode of)ein% is nothin% nor conse>*ent#y that the idea deries its ori%in fro( nothin%.

Nor (*st & i(a%ine that since the rea#ity that & consider in these ideas is on#y o);ectie it

is not essentia# that this rea#ity sho*#d )e for(a##y in the ca*ses of (y ideas )*t that it iss*fficient that it sho*#d )e fo*nd o);ectie#y. "or ;*st as this (ode of o);ectie e!istence

ertains to ideas )y their roer nat*re so does the (ode of for(a# e!istence ertain tot

he ca*ses of those ideas this is at #east tr*e of the first and rincia#5 )y the nat*re

ec*#iar to the(. 8nd a#tho*%h it (ay )e the case that one idea %ies )irth to anotheridea that cannot contin*e to )e so indefinite#y, for in the end $e (*st reach an idea

$hose ca*se sha## )e so to sea: an archetye in $hich the $ho#e rea#ity Bor erfection

$hich is so to sea: o);ectie#y Bor )y reresentation in these ideas is contained

for(a##y Band rea##y. Th*s the #i%ht of nat*re ca*ses (e to :no$ c#ear#y that the ideas in(e are #i:e Bict*res or i(a%es $hich can in tr*th easi#y fa## short of the erfection of

the o);ects fro( $hich they hae )een deried )*t $hich can neer contain anythin%%reater or (ore erfect.

8nd the #on%er and the (ore caref*##y that & inesti%ate these (atters the (ore c#ear#y

and distinct#y do & reco%nise their tr*th. *t $hat a( & to conc#*de fro( it a## in the endI&t is this that if the o);ectie rea#ity of any one of (y ideas is of s*ch a nat*re as c#ear#y

to (a:e (e reco%nise that it is not in (e either for(a##y or e(inent#y and that

conse>*ent#y & cannot (yse#f )e the ca*se of it it fo##o$s of necessity that & a( not a#one

in the $or#d )*t that there is another )ein% $hich e!ists or $hich is the ca*se of thisidea. On the other hand had no s*ch an idea e!isted in (e & sho*#d hae had no

s*fficient ar%*(ent to conince (e of the e!istence of any )ein% )eyond (yse#f, for &

hae (ade ery caref*# inesti%ation eery$here and * to the resent ti(e hae )eena)#e to find no other %ro*nd.

*t of (y ideas )eyond that $hich reresents (e to (yse#f as to $hich there can here

)e no diffic*#ty there is another $hich reresents a od and there are othersreresentin% cororea# and inani(ate thin%s others an%e#s others ani(a#s and others

a%ain $hich reresent to (e (en si(i#ar to (yse#f.

8s re%ards the ideas $hich reresent to (e other (en or ani(a#s or an%e#s & can

ho$eer easi#y conceie that they (i%ht )e for(ed )y an ad(i!t*re of the other ideas$hich & hae of (yse#f of cororea# thin%s and of od een a#tho*%h there $ere aart

fro( (e neither (en nor ani(a#s nor an%e#s in a## the $or#d.

8nd in re%ard to the ideas of cororea# o);ects & do not reco%nise in the( anythin% so%reat or so e!ce##ent that they (i%ht not hae ossi)#y roceeded fro( (yse#f, for if &

consider the( (ore c#ose#y and e!a(ine the( indiid*a##y as & yesterday e!a(ined the

idea of $a! & find that there is ery #itt#e in the( $hich & erceie c#ear#y and distinct#y.Ma%nit*de or e!tension in #en%th )readth or deth & do so erceie, a#so fi%*re $hich

res*#ts fro( a ter(ination of this e!tension the sit*ation $hich )odies of different fi%*re

resere in re#ation to one another and (oe(ent or chan%e of sit*ation, to $hich $e

(ay a#so add s*)stance d*ration and n*()er. 8s to other thin%s s*ch as #i%ht co#o*rs


23/48

so*nds scents tastes heat co#d and the other tacti#e >*a#ities they are tho*%ht )y (e

$ith so (*ch o)sc*rity and conf*sion that & do not een :no$ if they are tr*e or fa#se

i.e. $hether the ideas $hich & for( of these >*a#ities are act*a##y the ideas of rea# o);ectsor not Bor $hether they on#y reresent chi(eras $hich cannot e!ist in fact. "or a#tho*%h

& hae )efore re(ar:ed that it is on#y in ;*d%(ents that fa#sity roer#y sea:in% or

for(a# fa#sity can )e (et $ith a certain (ateria# fa#sity (ay neerthe#ess )e fo*nd inideas i.e. $hen these ideas reresent $hat is nothin% as tho*%h it $ere so(ethin%. "or

e!a(#e the ideas $hich & hae of co#d and heat are so far fro( c#ear and distinct that )y

their (eans & cannot te## $hether co#d is (ere#y a riation of heat or heat a riation ofco#d or $hether )oth are rea# >*a#ities or are not s*ch. 8nd inas(*ch as Bsince ideas

rese()#e i(a%es there cannot )e any ideas $hich do not aear to reresent so(e

thin%s if it is correct to say that co#d is (ere#y a riation of heat the idea $hich

reresents it to (e as so(ethin% rea# and ositie $i## not )e i(roer#y ter(ed fa#seand the sa(e ho#ds %ood of other si(i#ar ideas.

To these it is certain#y not necessary that & sho*#d attri)*te any a*thor other than (yse#f.

"or if they are fa#se i.e. if they reresent thin%s $hich do not e!ist the #i%ht of nat*re

sho$s (e that they iss*e fro( no*%ht that is to say that they are on#y in (e so far asso(ethin% is #ac:in% to the erfection of (y nat*re. *t if they are tr*e neerthe#ess

)eca*se they e!hi)it so #itt#e rea#ity to (e that & cannot een c#ear#y distin%*ish the thin%reresented fro( non@)ein% & do not see any reason $hy they sho*#d not )e rod*ced )y

(yse#f.

8s to the c#ear and distinct idea $hich & hae of cororea# thin%s so(e of the( see( astho*%h & (i%ht hae deried the( fro( the idea $hich & ossess of (yse#f as those

$hich & hae of s*)stance d*ration n*()er and s*ch #i:e. "or Been $hen & thin: that a

stone is a s*)stance or at #east a thin% caa)#e of e!istin% of itse#f and that & a( a

s*)stance a#so a#tho*%h & conceie that & a( a thin% that thin:s and not one that ise!tended and that the stone on the other hand is an e!tended thin% $hich does not thin:

and that th*s there is a nota)#e difference )et$een the t$o concetions @@ they see(

neerthe#ess to a%ree in this that )oth reresent s*)stances. &n the sa(e $ay $hen &erceie that & no$ e!ist and f*rther reco##ect that & hae in for(er ti(es e!isted and

$hen & re(e()er that & hae ario*s tho*%hts of $hich & can reco%nise the n*()er &

ac>*ire ideas of d*ration and n*()er $hich & can after$ards transfer to any o);ect that ease. *t as to a## the other >*a#ities of $hich the ideas of cororea# thin%s are

co(osed to $it e!tension fi%*re sit*ation and (otion it is tr*e that they are not

for(a##y in (e since & a( on#y a thin% that thin:s, )*t )eca*se they are (ere#y certain

(odes of s*)stance Band so to sea: the est(ents *nder $hich cororea# s*)stanceaears to *s and )eca*se & (yse#f a( a#so a s*)stance it $o*#d see( that they (i%ht )e

contained in (e e(inent#y.

+ence there re(ains on#y the idea of od concernin% $hich $e (*st consider $hether itis so(ethin% $hich cannot hae roceeded fro( (e (yse#f. y the na(e od &

*nderstand a s*)stance that is infinite Beterna# i((*ta)#e indeendent a##@:no$in% a##@

o$erf*# and )y $hich & (yse#f and eerythin% e#se if anythin% e#se does e!ist hae)een created. No$ a## these characteristics are s*ch that the (ore di#i%ent#y & attend to

the( the #ess do they aear caa)#e of roceedin% fro( (e a#one, hence fro( $hat has

)een a#ready said $e (*st conc#*de that od necessari#y e!ists.

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Meditations on First Philosophy-1