Analysis of the Cartesian Proof for the Existence of God Essay

Analysis of the Cartesian Proof for the cosmea of God - Essay ExampleAnalysis of the Cartesian Proof for the Existence of GodRene Descartes philosophical endeavor is best understood within the context of the influential philosophical school of rationalism. To understand how Descartes came to offer a proof for Gods existence, it must be understood that his philosophical venture in the Meditations is in fact some sort of veiled theological treatise. In his letter to the Faculty of Theology of Paris, he writesI have always been of the opinion that the two questions respecting God and the Soul were the chief of those that ought to be dictated by help of Philosophy rather than Theology for although to us, the faithful, it be sufficient to hold as maters of faith, that the homosexual soul does not perish with the body, and that God exists, it yet assuredly seems impossible ever to persuade infidels of the creation of any religion, or almost even any moral virtue, unless, first of all, those two things be proven to them by natural reason. (Popkin 122).In trying to establish what ought to be considered as the reliable foundation of anes beliefs, Descartes began his rational inquiry by doubting everything that can be doubted. It is only rational as per Descartes, to base all beliefs upon a foundation that cannot be doubted. Hence, he assumed that if he can come up at that belief which can no longer be doubted, then he would have arrived at the only reliable foundation of knowledge. Material or physical foundations simply will not do, because they argon not reliable.