Simon Dierig

Der Schwerpunkt dieses Hefts versammelt drei Beiträge zur Globalgeschichte des politischen Liberalismus. In transnational vergleichender Perspektive macht Harry Liebersohn ... mehr

The structure of knowledge in the Meditations has been the subject of much controversy. Some argue that, in Descartes’ view, “I exist” serves as the foundation of our knowledge. Others maintain that he distinguishes between two kinds of knowledge: perfect and imperfect. Before proving God’s existence, the meditator possesses imperfect knowledge of “I exist.” Afterward, she attains perfect knowledge of various metaphysical theorems. This article, however, defends a different view: that “I think” – rather than “I exist” – is the “Archimedean point” upon which all human knowledge is built. mehr