more from René Descartes

Single Idea 3641

[catalogued under 2. Reason / F. Fallacies / 4. Circularity]

Full Idea

How does the author avoid reasoning in a circle when he says that we are sure that what we clearly and distinctly perceive is true only because God exists? But we can be sure that God exists only because we clearly and distinctly perceive this.

Clarification

The famous 'Arnauld Circle', nowadays known as the 'Cartesian Circle'

Gist of Idea

It is circular to make truth depend on believing God's existence is true

Source

comment on René Descartes (Meditations [1641], §5.71) by Antoine Arnauld - Objections to 'Meditations' (Fourth) 214

Book Reference

Descartes,René: 'Meditations on First Philosophy etc.', ed/tr. Cottingham,John [CUP 1986], p.106