Study Questions for Descartes, Discourse on Method, Parts Three and Four

Part 3

1. What is the first maxim Descartes sets for himself? (p.13)
2. What strategy does Descartes propose to adopt when he finds that there are many equally accepted opinions on some issue? Why? (p.14)
3. What is Descartes’ second maxim? (p.14)
4. And the third? (p.14-15)
5. What occupation does he decide is best or him? (p.15)
6. How does Descartes distinguish his strategy of doubt from that of the skeptics? (p.16)

Part 4

1. What categories of beliefs does Descartes find reason to doubt? (p.18)
2. What does he find that he cannot doubt? (p.18)
3. What conclusion does he then draw about his own nature? (p.19)
4. What general rule for thinking does he then adopt? (p.19)
5. How does Descartes argue for the existence of God? (There are two arguments. One on pp.19-20 and the other on pp.20-21)
6. Why does Descartes think that we need to know that God exists in order to trust any of our beliefs? (pp.21-22)

Note: We will not be reading sections Five and Six of the Discourse. We will start the Meditations next week.