more on this theme     |     more from this thinker

Single Idea 3640

[filed under theme 28. God / B. Proving God / 2. Proofs of Reason / a. Ontological Proof ]

Full Idea

Possible existence is a perfection in the idea of a triangle, just as necessary existence is a perfection in the idea of God.

Gist of Idea

Possible existence is a perfection in the idea of a triangle

Source

René Descartes (Reply to Fifth Objections [1641], 383)

Book Ref

Descartes,René: 'Meditations on First Philosophy etc.', ed/tr. Cottingham,John [CUP 1986], p.97

The 5 ideas from 'Reply to Fifth Objections'

3626 Knowing the attributes is enough to reveal a substance [Descartes]
3630 Our thinking about external things doesn't disprove the existence of innate ideas [Descartes]
3631 A blind man may still contain the idea of colour [Descartes]
3640 Possible existence is a perfection in the idea of a triangle [Descartes]
3639 Necessary existence is a property which is uniquely part of God's essence [Descartes]