more from René Descartes

Single Idea 4017

[catalogued under 18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 5. Rationality / b. Human rationality]

Full Idea

Rationality is now an internal property of subjective thinking, rather than its consisting in (according to Plato) its vision of reality. This view of Descartes' has become the standard modern view.

Gist of Idea

Descartes created the modern view of rationality, as an internal feature instead of an external vision

Source

report of René Descartes (Meditations [1641]) by Charles Taylor - Sources of the Self §8

Book Reference

Taylor,Charles: 'Sources of the Self' [CUP 1992], p.156


A Reaction

Greek 'logos' actually seemed to be both internal and external. We have certainly lost the idea that the universe is rational, even though it is ordered.