Descartes and the Existence of God

Paper Summary:

This paper provides an overview of Descartes' theories concerning the existence of God using his "Meditations" as the basis to emphasise his belief in God. It specifically concentrates on "Meditations 2 and 5" and describes Descartes use of the ontological argument, cosmological argument and use of mathematics to prove the existence of God.

From the Paper:

"Proceeding in his demonstration of the existence of God by analysing thoughts, Descartes distinguishes several classifications of thought: ideas, 'volitions and affections'1 and judgments. Descartes explores the concept of 'idea'1 further by identifying three types of idea: 'innate ideas'1, 'adventitious'1 ideas which come involuntarily into the mind from outside and 'factitious ideas'1 that are manufactured by one's self by combining innate and adventitious ideas. As Descartes 'has the power of conceiving'1 thought, it is possible his ideas could be of any class. Descartes thoughts are 'inventions of his mind'1, thus he is unable to determine their true origin. Therefore, it is plausible that the thoughts his 'senses have conveyed'1 to his mind could be all innate, adventitious or factitious."

More papers on Descartes and the Existence of God:

• Analytical Essay # 139427 : "Descartes & the Existence of God - Meditations, I, II, III"
• Essay # 25337 : "Descartes and The Nature of Existence"
• Essay # 32173 : "Descartes and the Limitations of the Senses"

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