Descartes's Second Meditation: Concerning the Nature of the Human Mind

Two Guys Searching For Truth On The Road That Never Ends...

In practical life we are compelled to follow what is most probable; in speculative thought we are compelled to follow truth - Baruch Spinoza In this second episode of our Descartes series, we take a close look at his second meditation, which builds off of, and tries to answer to, the first meditation. We pick the story back up where Descartes does not know anything for certain, and he begins seeking for something he can unequivocally know for sure. He then concludes that as a thinking being, his existence is necessary; in other words, to think, one must exist. Cogito ergo sum - I think therefore I am. We also briefly touch on Simulation Theory and how Descartes inspired many works after him. We also lead into the next episode with a consideration of the existence of God, which will be discussed at length in Meditation Three. Always feel free to let us know what you think, or any episode requests. We would love to hear from you!