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lipsandpalms's review against another edition
3.0
Descartes structures his philosophy and hunger for knowledge the way one builds a house. The strong and unquestionable foundation coming first and the rest to be held on it. I'm not sure I agree about the mind being indivisible. I believe the mind resides in a sufficiently complex brain. Other animals probably have a concept of the self and are not just reactionary biological machines. For example, a kicked dog might snap back but forgives its master and becomes docile or even lovable shortly after. A conscious decision has been made in the name of companionship. The dog hasn't forgotten the kick. Memory on a time-line is identity and the self. The mind can be diminished, broken. Parts can be removed. A piece of the self can die. The mind is not indivisible.
The idea that the mind and the body inhabit separate universes and never interact but that God creates the reaction is laughably silly. I don't think Descartes believes this since he is an atheistic and concrete rationalist, even though he wouldn't self prescribe as one. Still, what narcissism these people had to believe an all powerful being would orchestrate and maintain the wishes of their mind on their bodies and the world.
The idea of an all powerful malicious individual seems more realistic than a benevolent one.
The idea that the mind and the body inhabit separate universes and never interact but that God creates the reaction is laughably silly. I don't think Descartes believes this since he is an atheistic and concrete rationalist, even though he wouldn't self prescribe as one. Still, what narcissism these people had to believe an all powerful being would orchestrate and maintain the wishes of their mind on their bodies and the world.
The idea of an all powerful malicious individual seems more realistic than a benevolent one.
jacobjonk's review against another edition
3.0
Learned a fair amount same quality as the others in the series
toves_bokhylla's review against another edition
5.0
Hade ingen aning om att det var den svenska vintern som tagit kål på honom, yikes!
pizzamcpin3ppl3's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
sribbleinc's review against another edition
3.0
This is an excellent introduction to Descartes. While I think the personally history is just the right amount of content, I would have liked a bit more depth and detail about his thoughts/philosophy. I think the outline of Descartes's journey through life at the end of the book is a bit unnecessary to read, but it's definitely a good reference. In comparison, the collection of quotes by Descartes summarizing some of his most revolutionary ideas is a great reference if one wants to choose one of his works and ideas to dive deeper into.
mickified's review against another edition
4.0
Needed a bit more context and breaking down during the actual text, but it gets an extra star for absolutely shading descartes whenever possible
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