Modern Science and Knowledge According to Descartes

Abstract

The focus of this article is René Descartes’ bold claim that his method
as presented in the Discourse on Method, will revolutionize science as well
as philosophy. The author of this article reviews each chapter of the Discourse
trying to establish what exactly Descartes had in mind and if he delivered
what he had promised. The findings of the article are disappointing.
Descartes skillfully uses rhetorical techniques to win his audience and to gain
publicity, yet in fact he proposes no more than just four rules of conducting
research inserted in chapter II. The remaining five chapters are either loosely
connected with the main theme (chapters I and IV) or are entirely off the
topic (chapters III, V and VI). Chapter IV, probably the most famous in the
Discourse because of its cogito ergo sum principle, also has little in common
with Descartes’ pledge. The author concludes that if there is anything worthy
in the Discourse, it is its adolescent boldness and challenge to the establishment
of Descartes’ time. If, however, we take his Discourse at face value,
then we must conclude that Descartes fails to fulfill his promise and engages
mainly in self-promotion.