Publisher's Synopsis
The Principles of Philosophy is a comprehensive work by the French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist, Rene Descartes. Originally published in Latin in 1644, the book presents Descartes' philosophical system, which is based on the fundamental principle of skepticism and the idea that knowledge can only be attained through rational inquiry.The book is divided into four parts, each of which explores a different aspect of Descartes' philosophy. The first part outlines his method of doubt, in which he questions all of his beliefs and assumptions in order to arrive at certain knowledge. The second part discusses the nature of the human mind and its relationship to the body, while the third part explores the nature of reality and the existence of God. The final part of the book discusses the principles of morality and the role of free will in human action.Throughout the book, Descartes uses clear and concise language to present his ideas, making it accessible to both scholars and general readers. The Principles of Philosophy is considered one of the most important works in the history of Western philosophy and has had a significant influence on the development of modern philosophy.When we further reflect on the various ideas that are in us, it is easy to perceive that there is not much difference among them, when we consider them simply as certain modes of thinking, but that they are widely different, considered in reference to the objects they represent; and that their causes must be so much the more perfect according to the degree of objective perfection contained in them.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
