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Single Idea 3657

[from 'Preface to 'Principles of Philosophy'' by René Descartes, in 11. Knowledge Aims / B. Certain Knowledge / 1. Certainty ]

Full Idea

Certainty is not in the sense but in the understanding alone, when it has evident perceptions.

Gist of Idea

Understanding, not the senses, gives certainty

Source

René Descartes (Preface to 'Principles of Philosophy' [1647], p.177)

Book Reference

Descartes,René: 'Discourse on Method/The Meditations', ed/tr. Sutcliffe,F.E. [Penguin 1968], p.177