How to Read Descartes

About this book

Revered as the "father of modern philosophy" Descartes is one of the most influential philosophers of all time but his ideas are also highly controversial and have been subjected to intense criticism by present-day philosophers. John Cottingham examines Descartess remarkable attempt to construct a new basis for scientific understanding his famous first principle "I am thinking therefore I exist " and his notorious and often misunderstood account of the relation between mind and body. He also tackles fascinating and lesser-known aspects of Descartess philosophy including his views on language human and animal nature the role of the emotions in the good life and the place of God in science and ethics. Extracts are taken from the whole range of Descartess writings including the Discourse on the Method Meditations on First Philosophy Principles of Philosophy and his last book Passions of the Soul as well as extracts from his philosophical letters.