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Single Idea 2264

[from 'Meditations' by René Descartes, in 12. Knowledge Sources / C. Rationalism / 1. Rationalism ]

Full Idea

Were I to look out of my window and observe men crossing the square, I would ordinarily say that I see the men themselves. But what do I see but hats and clothes, which could conceal automata? Yet I judge them to be men.

Gist of Idea

We don't 'see' men in heavy clothes, we judge them to be men

Source

René Descartes (Meditations [1641], §2.32)

Book Reference

Descartes,René: 'Discourse on Method/The Meditations', ed/tr. Sutcliffe,F.E. [Penguin 1968], p.110