Study Questions for Descartes, Discourse on Method, Parts One and Two

Part One

1. Descartes is writing about a Method. What is it a method for?
2. Why do people’s opinions differ? (p.1)
3. Descartes says his mind is no better than other people’s – so what does he have to offer? (p.2)
4. Why was Descartes disappointed in his education? (p.3)
5. To what does Descartes compare the study of classical texts? What conclusion does he draw by means of the analogy? (p.4)
6. How does Descartes characterize philosophy? (p.5)
7. Where does he decide to look for knowledge? (pp.5-6)
8. What conclusion did Descartes draw from his travels about the unreliability of certain common sources of opinions? (p.6)

Part Two

1. Descartes uses building as a metaphor for knowledge. What is the first point he argues for on the basis of that comparison? (p.7)

2. What point does Descartes make through the metaphor of tearing down his house? (p.8)

3. Why does Descartes not advocate "tearing down" the principles on which society rests in order to build a new social order? (pp.8-9)

4. Why does Descartes not find some trustworthy mentor whose opinions he will accept? (pp.9-10)

5. What are the four rules Descartes sets for himself? (p.11)

6. After setting forth his four rules, Descartes compares all reasoning to mathematics. What points does he make by this comparison? (11-12)

7. What subjects did Descartes first use his new method on? What benefit did he derive from this? (p.12)

8. What does Descartes like most about his method? (p.11)