Rene Descartes

It appears that Descartes holds a similar opinion regarding knowledge as Socrates. For instance, throughout the first three parts of Descartes Discourse on the Method, he details his travels to various cultures, and he uses each experience to challenge and solidify his own opinions. Because, as Descartes points out in the beginning of the reading, all men have the equal ability to judge, but “we have different ways of directing our thoughts, and do not take into account the same things” (5). So, the experience of a singular culture does not guarantee in any way the correctness of an idea, but rather each society should be utilized so as to examine every perspective of the topic at hand. Descartes then emphasizes that with this challenged and subsequently strengthened knowledge, we should be sure to act upon it. “The most important thing, is to apply it correctly” (5). So, as Descartes outlines the methods by which he has reached this conclusion, he hopes the Discourse on the Method will be used as a guideline for others to discover the same. In effect, Descartes appears to be concerned with two main things. One, is to emphasize that opinions should be challenged and explored and solidified so that the subsequent knowledge can applied. Second, the Discourse is intended specifically to guide people in the method by which Descartes reached this conclusion that regards the appropriateness of how life should be lived.