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DISCOURSE ON THE METHOD OF RIGHTLY CONDUCTING THE REASON； AND
SEEKING TRUTH IN THE SCIENCES
DISCOURSE ON THE
METHOD OF RIGHTLY
CONDUCTING THE
REASON； AND SEEKING
TRUTH IN THE
SCIENCES
by Rene Descartes
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DISCOURSE ON THE METHOD OF RIGHTLY CONDUCTING THE REASON； AND
SEEKING TRUTH IN THE SCIENCES
PREFATORY NOTE BY THE AUTHOR
If this Discourse appear too long to be read at once； it may be divided
into six Parts： and； in the first； will be found various considerations
touching the Sciences； in the second； the principal rules of the Method
which the Author has discovered； in the third； certain of the rules of
Morals which he has deduced from this Method； in the fourth； the
reasonings by which he establishes the existence of God and of the Human
Soul； which are the foundations of his Metaphysic； in the fifth； the order
of the Physical questions which he has investigated； and； in particular； the
explication of the motion of the heart and of some other difficulties
pertaining to Medicine； as also the difference between the soul of man and
that of the brutes； and； in the last； what the Author believes to be required
in order to greater advancement in the investigation of Nature than has yet
been made； with the reasons that have induced him to write。
PART 1
Good sense is； of all things among men； the most equally distributed；
for every one thinks himself so abundantly provided with it； that those
even who are the most difficult to satisfy in everything else； do not usually
desire a larger measure of this quality than they already possess。 And in
this it is not likely that all are mistaken the conviction is rather to be held
as testifying that the power of judging aright and of distinguishing truth
from error； which is properly what is called good sense or reason； is by
nature equal in all men； and that the diversity of our opinions；
consequently； does not arise from some being endowed with a larger share
of reason than others； but solely from this； that we conduct our thoughts
along different ways； and do not fix our attention on the same objects。 For
to be possessed of a vigorous mind is not enough； the prime requisite is
rightly to apply it。 The greatest minds； as they are capable of the highest
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DISCOURSE ON THE METHOD OF RIGHTLY CONDUCTING THE REASON； AND
SEEKING TRUTH IN THE SCIENCES
excellences； are open likewise to the greatest aberrations； and those who
travel very slowly may yet make far greater progress； provided they keep
always to the straight road； than those who； while they run； forsake it。
For myself； I have never fancied my mind to be in any respect more
perfect than those of the generality； on the contrary； I have often wished
that I were equal to some others in promptitude of thought； or in clearness
and distinctness of imagination； or in fullness and readiness of memory。
And besides these； I know of no other qualities that contribute to the
perfection of the mind； for as to the reason or sense； inasmuch as it is that
alone which constitutes us men； and distinguishes us from the brutes； I am
disposed to believe that it is to be found plete in each individual； and
on this point to adopt the mon opinion of philosophers； who say that
the difference of greater and less holds only among the accidents； and not
among the forms or natures of individuals of the same species。
I will not hesitate； however； to avow my belief that it has been my
singular good fortune to have very early in life fallen in with certain
tracks which have conducted me to considerations and maxims； of which I
have formed a method that gives me the means； as I think； of gradually
augmenting my knowledge； and of raising it by little and little to the
highest point which the mediocrity of my talents and the brief duration of
my life will permit me to reach。 For I have already reaped from it such
fruits that； although I have been accustomed to think lowly enough of
myself； and although when I look with the eye of a philosopher at the
varied courses and pursuits of mankind at large； I find scarcely one which
does not appear in vain and useless； I nevertheless derive the highest
satisfaction from the progress I conceive myself to have already made in
the search after truth； and cannot help entertaining such expectations of the
future as to believe that if； among the occupations of men as men； there is
any one really excellent and important； it is that which I have chosen。
After all； it is possible I may be mistaken； and it is but a little copper
and glass； perhaps； that I take for gold and diamonds。 I know how very
liable we are to delusion in what relates to ourselves； and also how much
the judgments of our friends are to be suspected when given in our favor。
But I shall endeavor in this discourse to describe the paths I have followed；
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DISCOURSE ON THE METHOD OF RIGHTLY CONDUCTING THE REASON； AND
SEEKING TRUTH IN THE SCIENCES
and to delineate my life as in a picture； in order that each one may also be
able to judge of them for himself； and that in the general opinion
entertained of them； as gathered from current report； I myself may have a
new help towards instruction to be added to those I have been in the habit
of employing。
My present design； then； is not to teach the method which each ought
to follow for the right conduct of his reason； but solely to describe the way
in which I have endeavored to conduct my own。 They who set
themselves to give precepts must of course regard themselves as possessed
of greater skill than those to whom they prescribe； and if they err in the
slightest particular； they subject themselves to censure。 But as this tract
is put forth merely as a history； or； if you will； as a tale； in which； amid
some examples worthy of imitation； there will be found； perhaps； as many
more which it were advisable not to follow； I hope it will prove useful to
some without being hurtful to any； and that my openness will find some
favor with all。
From my childhood； I have been familiar with letters； and as I was
given to believe that by their help a clear and certain knowledge of all that
is useful in life might be acquired； I was ardently desirous of instruction。
But as soon as I had finished the entire course of study； at the close of
which it is customary to be admitted into the order of the learned； I
pletely changed my opinion。 For I found myself involved in so
many doubts and errors； that I was convinced I had advanced no farther in
all my attempts at learning； than the discovery at every turn of my own
ignorance。 And yet I was studying in one of the most celebrated schools
in Europe； in which I thought there must be learned men； if such were
anywhere to be found。 I had been taught all that others learned there； and
not contented with the sciences actually taught us； I had； in addition； read
all the books that had fallen into my hands； treating of such branches as
are esteemed the most curious and rare。 I knew the judgment which
others had formed of me； and I did not find that I was considered inferior
to my fellows； although there were among them some who were already
marked out to fill the places of our instructors。 And； in fine； our age
appeared to me as flourishing； and as fertile in powerful minds as any
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DISCOURSE ON THE METHOD OF RIGHTLY CONDUCTING THE REASON； AND
SEEKING TRUTH IN THE SCIENCES
preceding one。 I was thus led to take the liberty of judging of all other
men by myself； and of concluding that there was no science in exis