Descartes — Using doubt as a method

Should every belief be withheld whenever error is possible, or is doubt a test used for a particular purpose?

Evidence-backed account

The First Meditation uses a method of withholding assent from prior opinions whenever there is any reason for doubt.

Open evidence

This is an evidence-linked editorial paraphrase, not a direct quotation.

Meditationes de prima philosophia
René Descartes · 1641 · Adam–Tannery VII, Corpus Descartes digital edition with page markers and original-edition images
Locator: Meditation I, AT VII 17–18
Open source
Descartes' Epistemology
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Locator: Section 2.2
Open source

The Second Meditation argues that existence cannot be denied while the very act of being deceived or doubting is occurring.

Open evidence

This is an evidence-linked editorial paraphrase, not a direct quotation.

Meditationes de prima philosophia
René Descartes · 1641 · Adam–Tannery VII, Corpus Descartes digital edition with page markers and original-edition images
Locator: Meditation II, AT VII 25
Open source
Descartes' Epistemology
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Locator: Section 4.1
Open source

Immediately afterward, the meditator limits the result by saying that what this existing self is has not yet been adequately understood.

Open evidence

This is an evidence-linked editorial paraphrase, not a direct quotation.

Meditationes de prima philosophia
René Descartes · 1641 · Adam–Tannery VII, Corpus Descartes digital edition with page markers and original-edition images
Locator: Meditation II, AT VII 25–27
Open source
Descartes' Epistemology
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Locator: Section 4.1
Open source

The first Latin edition was published by Michael Soly in Paris in 1641.

Open evidence

This is an evidence-linked editorial paraphrase, not a direct quotation.

Meditationes de prima philosophia
René Descartes · 1641 · Paris: Michael Soly, first Latin edition
Locator: Title page and imprint
Open source