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principal ones in such a manner that I can venture to bring
them forward as very evident and very certain demonstrations。
And more than that； I will say that these proofs are such that
I do not think that there is any way open to the human mind by
which it can ever succeed in discovering better。 For the
importance of the subject； and the glory of God to which all
this relates； constrain me to speak here somewhat more freely
of myself than is my habit。 Nevertheless； whatever certainty
and evidence I find in my reasons； I cannot persuade myself
that all the world is capable of understanding them。 Still；
just as in Geometry there are many demonstrations that have
been left to us by Archimedes； by Apollonius； by Pappus； and
others； which are accepted by everyone as perfectly certain
and evident （because they clearly contain nothing which；
considered by itself； is not very easy to understand； and as
all through that which follows has an exact connection with；
and dependence on that which precedes）； nevertheless； because
they are somewhat lengthy； and demand a mind wholly devoted
to their consideration； they are only taken in and understood
by a very limited number of persons。 Similarly； although I
judge that those of which I here make use are equal to； or
even surpass in certainty and evidence； the demonstrations of
Geometry； I yet apprehend that they cannot be adequately
understood by many； both because they are also a little
lengthy and dependent the one on the other； and principally
because they demand a mind wholly free of prejudices； and one
which can be easily detached from the affairs of the senses。
And； truth to say； there are not so many in the world who are
fitted for metaphysical speculations as there are for those of
Geometry。 And more than that； there is still this difference；
that in Geometry； since each one is persuaded that nothing
must be advanced of which there is not a certain
demonstration； those who are not entirely adepts more
frequently err in approving what is false； in order to give
the impression that they understand it； than in refuting the
true。 But the case is different in philosophy where everyone
believes that all is problematical； and few give themselves to
the search after truth； and the greater number； in their
desire to acquire a reputation for boldness of thought；
arrogantly bat the most important of truths3。
That is why； whatever force there may be in my
reasonings； seeing they belong to philosophy； I cannot hope
that they will have much effect on the minds of men； unless
you extend to them your protection。 But the estimation in
which you pany is universally held is so great； and the
name of SORBONNE carries with it so much authority； that； next
to the Sacred Councils； never has such deference been paid to
the judgment of any Body； not only in what concerns the faith；
but also in what regards human philosophy as well： everyone
indeed believes that it is not possible to discover elsewhere
more perspicacity and solidity； or more integrity and wisdom
in pronouncing judgment。 For this reason I have no doubt that
if you deign to take the trouble in the first place of
correcting this work （for being conscious not only of my
infirmity； but also of my ignorance； I should not dare to
state that it was free from errors）； and then； after adding to
it these things that are lacking to it； pleting those which
are imperfect； and yourselves taking the trouble to give a
more ample explanation of those things which have need of it；
or at least making me aware of the defects so that I may apply
myself to remedy them when this is done and when finally the
reasonings by which I prove that there is a God； and that the
human soul differs from the body； shall be carried to that
point of perspicuity to which I am sure they can be carried in
order that they may be esteemed as perfectly exact
demonstrations； if you deign to authorize your approbation and
to render public testimony to their truth and certainty； I do
not doubt； I say； that henceforward all the errors and false
opinions which have ever existed regarding these two questions
will soon be effaced from the minds of men。 For the truth
itself will easily cause all men of mind and learning to
subscribe to your judgment； and your authority will cause the
atheists； who are usually more arrogant than learned or
judicious； to rid themselves of their spirit of contradiction
or lead them possibly themselves to defend the reasonings
which they find being received as demonstrations by all
persons of consideration； lest they appear not to understand
them。 And； finally； all others will easily yield to such a
mass of evidence； and there will be none who dares to doubt
the existence of God and the real and true distinction between
the human soul and the body。 It is for you now in your
singular wisdom to judge of the importance of the
establishment of such beliefs ＇you who see the disorders
produced by the doubt of them＇5 。 But it would not bee me
to say more in consideration of the cause of God and religion
to those who have always been the most worthy supports of the
Catholic Church。
Preface to the Reader
I have already slightly touched on these two questions of
God and the human soul in the Discourse on the Method of
rightly conducting the Reason and seeking truth in the
Sciences； published in French in the year 1637。 Not that I
had the design of treating these with any thoroughness； but
only so to speak in passing； and in order to ascertain by the
judgment of the readers how I should treat them later on。 For
these questions have always appeared to me to be of such
importance that I judged it suitable to speak of them more
than once； and the road which I follow in the explanation of
them is so little trodden； and so far removed from the
ordinary path； that I did not judge it to be expedient to set
it forth at length in French and in a Discourse which might be
read by everyone； in case the feebler minds should believe
that it was permitted to them to attempt to follow the same
path。
But； having in this Discourse on Method begged all those
who have found in my writings somewhat deserving of censure to
do me the favour of acquainting me with the grounds of it；
nothing worthy of remark has been objected to in them beyond
two matters： to these two I wish here to reply in a few words
before undertaking their more detailed discussion。
The first objection is that it does not follow from the
fact that the human mind reflecting on itself does not
perceive itself to be other than a thing that thinks； that its
nature or its essence consists only in its being a thing that
thinks； in the sense that this word only excludes all other
things which might also be supposed to pertain to the nature
of the soul。 To this objection I reply that it was not my
intention in that place to exclude these in accordance with
the order that looks to the truth of the matter （as to which I
was not then dealing）； but only in accordance with the order
of my thought ＇perception＇； thus my meaning was that so far as
I was aware；