All perspectives

Perspective voyage · 1641

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?

The question that moves this idea

What can we claim to know?

Instead of memorizing a conclusion, follow the evidence scenes to see what this perspective distinguishes and where its explanation stops.

Scene 1 / 4Evidence-linked account

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

Open evidence for this scene

This sentence is an editorial paraphrase linked to the listed sources, 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

Time × place

Where the idea met time and place

We do not invent a birthplace for an idea. Only evidence-backed events such as writing, publication, teaching, and reception appear here.

Keep the voyage moving

Where should this perspective lead?