The Philosophical Writings of Descartes
"The Philosophical Writings of Descartes" compiles the key works of René Descartes, including his foundational ideas on skepticism, the nature of existence, and the relationship between mind and body. Through his famous dictum "Cogito, ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I am"), Descartes argues for the certainty of self-awareness and lays the groundwork for modern philosophy. His writings also explore the principles of scientific method and rationalism, influencing subsequent philosophical thought.
21 curated highlights from this book
Key Insights & Memorable Quotes
Below are the most impactful passages and quotes from The Philosophical Writings of Descartes, carefully selected to capture the essence of the book.
I think, therefore I am.
The use of reason is to be preferred to that of the senses.
The more perfect a thing is, the more it has reality.
To live without Hope is to Cease to live.
It is not enough to possess a good mind; it is more important to use it well.
If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things.
The greatest minds are capable of the greatest vices as well as of the greatest virtues.
The more one knows, the more one realizes one does not know.
A man is but the product of his thoughts; what he thinks, he becomes.
The mind is everything; what you think you become.
Cogito, ergo sum.
The use of reason is to be distinguished from the use of the senses.
I am accustomed to sleep and in my dreams to imagine the same things that lunatics imagine when awake.
It is not enough to possess a good mind; it must be applied.
The more perfect a thing is, the more of it is required.
The mind is furnished with ideas by nature.
The act of doubting is the act of thinking.
The use of reason is the best way to understand the world.
The more perfect a thing is, the more it resembles the Supreme Being.
The mind is a thing that thinks.
The first precept was never to accept a thing as true until I knew it as such without a single doubt.