Knowledge and the Meditations

E-Artikel

Zurück zum Heft: Archiv für Begriffsgeschichte. Band 66,1
DOI: 10.28937/9783787347308_5

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Abstract
Inhalt

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.