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Full Idea
According to the laws of true logic, we must never ask about the existence of anything until we first understand its essence.
Gist of Idea
Essence must be known before we discuss existence
Source
René Descartes (Reply to First Objections [1641], 108)
Book Ref
Descartes,René: 'Meditations on First Philosophy etc.', ed/tr. Cottingham,John [CUP 1986], p.88
16634 | I can't be unaware of anything which is in me [Descartes] |
3634 | We can't prove a first cause from our inability to grasp infinity [Descartes] |
3635 | Essence must be known before we discuss existence [Descartes] |