Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by omarrahim
Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy by René Descartes
5.0
5 stars
It is only within the depths of mysticism can rationalism and empiricism spawn. I found this book to be illuminating. It's fun to read Descartes's humble prose while simultaneously blowing my mind. I don't necessarily agree with everything he says at face value, since humanity has come a long way in understanding itself, the brain, psychology, epistemology, and metaphysics. However, this is an unparalleled attempt to understand truth. If I could compare Descartes to anyone, it would have to be Hayy Ibn Yaqzan, thought Hayy is only a fictional character.
There's lots of good quotes and memorable moments here, especially for a philosophy book (which it doesn't read like at all!) I would definitely recommend this book to many so-called "rationalists" today who think they have the self-given providence to deny the existence of God. Now, I'm not saying that God is undoubtedly real after reading this book, but it's hard for me to look at some people claiming they know the world, true and false, human nature, and the like, when I'm willing to bet they haven't gone through such meditations in their own lives, so much as even read this.
If you don't like philosophy reading, give this a chance. Descartes doesn't call himself a philosopher here, he is just talking to himself and illustrating how he understands the world. Descartes is now on my list of dead people to have a drink with if given the chance!
P.S. I might try reading this one in French at some point if I can get my hands on a good copy. I hope it's as fun as this translation!
It is only within the depths of mysticism can rationalism and empiricism spawn. I found this book to be illuminating. It's fun to read Descartes's humble prose while simultaneously blowing my mind. I don't necessarily agree with everything he says at face value, since humanity has come a long way in understanding itself, the brain, psychology, epistemology, and metaphysics. However, this is an unparalleled attempt to understand truth. If I could compare Descartes to anyone, it would have to be Hayy Ibn Yaqzan, thought Hayy is only a fictional character.
There's lots of good quotes and memorable moments here, especially for a philosophy book (which it doesn't read like at all!) I would definitely recommend this book to many so-called "rationalists" today who think they have the self-given providence to deny the existence of God. Now, I'm not saying that God is undoubtedly real after reading this book, but it's hard for me to look at some people claiming they know the world, true and false, human nature, and the like, when I'm willing to bet they haven't gone through such meditations in their own lives, so much as even read this.
If you don't like philosophy reading, give this a chance. Descartes doesn't call himself a philosopher here, he is just talking to himself and illustrating how he understands the world. Descartes is now on my list of dead people to have a drink with if given the chance!
P.S. I might try reading this one in French at some point if I can get my hands on a good copy. I hope it's as fun as this translation!