The Philosophical Writings of Descartes

by René Descartes , Translated by John Cottingham , Robert Stoothoff , Dugald Murdoch

• ISBN13: 9780521288088
• ISBN10: 0521288088
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1985-08-30
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

These two volumes provide a completely new translation of the philosophical works of Descartes, based on the best available Latin and French texts. They are intended to replace the only reasonably comprehensive selection of his works in English, by Haldane and Ross, first published in 1911. All the works included in that edition are translated here, together with a number of additional texts crucial for an understanding of Cartesian philosophy, including important material from Descartes' scientific writings. The result should meet the widespread demand for an accurate and authoritative edition of Descartes' philosophical writings in clear and readable modern English.

Table of Contents

General Introduction	vii
Chronological table of Descartes' life and works	x
Meditations on First Philosophy
Translator's preface	1	(2)
Dedicatory letter to the Sorbonne	3	(3)
Preface to the reader	6	(3)
Synopsis of following six Meditations	9	(3)
First Meditation: What can be called into doubt	12	(4)
Second Meditation: The nature of the human mind, and how it is better known than the body	16	(8)
Third Meditation: The existence of God	24	(13)
Fourth Meditation: Truth and falsity	37	(7)
Fifth Meditation: The essence of material things, and the existence of God considered a second time	44	(6)
Sixth Meditation: The existence of material things, and the real distinction between mind and body	50	(16)
Objections and Replies
Translator's preface	63	(3)
First Set of Objections	66	(8)
Author's Replies to the First Set of Objections	74	(13)
Second Set of Objections	87	(6)
Author's Replies to the Second Set of Objections	93	(28)
Third Set of Objections with the Author's Replies	121	(17)
Fourth Set of Objections	138	(16)
Author's Replies to the Fourth Set of Objections	154	(25)
Fifth Set of Objections	179	(62)
Author's Replies to the Fifth Set of Objections	241	(37)
Appendix to the Fifth Set of Objections and Replies	268	(10)
Sixth Set of Objections	278	(7)
Author's Replies to the Sixth Set of Objections	285	(17)
Seventh Set of Objections with the Author's Replies	302	(82)
Letter to Father Dinet	384	(16)
The Search for Truth
Translators' preface	399	(1)
The Search for Truth by means of the Natural Light	400	(21)
Index	421