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Single Idea 3657

[filed under theme 11. Knowledge Aims / B. Certain Knowledge / 1. Certainty ]

Full Idea

Certainty is not in the sense but in the understanding alone, when it has evident perceptions.

Gist of Idea

Understanding, not the senses, gives certainty

Source

René Descartes (Preface to 'Principles of Philosophy' [1647], p.177)

Book Ref

Descartes,René: 'Discourse on Method/The Meditations', ed/tr. Sutcliffe,F.E. [Penguin 1968], p.177


The 4 ideas from 'Preface to 'Principles of Philosophy''

Metaphysics is the roots of the tree of science [Descartes]
Understanding, not the senses, gives certainty [Descartes]
Atheism arises from empiricism, because God is intangible [Descartes]
I know the truth that God exists and is the author of truth [Descartes]