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Single Idea 2287

[from 'Meditations' by René Descartes, in 28. God / B. Proving God / 2. Proofs of Reason / a. Ontological Proof ]

Full Idea

Existence can no more be separated from God's essence than its having three angles equal to two right angles can be separated from the essence of a triangle, or than the idea of a valley can be separated from the idea of a mountain.

Gist of Idea

Existence and God's essence are inseparable, like a valley and a mountain, or a triangle and its properties

Source

René Descartes (Meditations [1641], §5.66)

Book Reference

Descartes,René: 'Discourse on Method/The Meditations', ed/tr. Sutcliffe,F.E. [Penguin 1968], p.145