more from René Descartes

Single Idea 3633

[catalogued under 28. God / B. Proving God / 2. Proofs of Reason / b. Ontological Proof critique]

Full Idea

The human intellect is not capable of conceiving of infinity, and hence it neither has nor can contemplate any idea representing an infinite thing.

Gist of Idea

We can never conceive of an infinite being

Source

comment on René Descartes (Meditations [1641], §5.65) by Pierre Gassendi - Objections to 'Meditations' (Fifth) 286

Book Reference

Descartes,René: 'Meditations on First Philosophy etc.', ed/tr. Cottingham,John [CUP 1986], p.81