Six Metaphysical Meditations
René Descartes
Adapted for Modern Readers
First published 1641 (Latin) · Lucid Classics edition 2026 · 91 pages
Original and Lucid edition, side by side
Molyneux translation, 1680
Some years past I perceived how many Falsities I admitted as Truths in my Younger years, and how Dubious those things were which I raised from thence; and therefore I thought it requisite (if I had a designe to establish any thing that should prove firme and permanent in sciences) that once in my life I should clearly cast aside all my former opinions, and begin a new from some First principles. But this seemed a great Task, and I still expected that maturity of years, then which none could be more apt to receive Learning; upon which Account I waited so long, that at last I should deservedly be blamed had I spent that time in Deliberation which remain'd only for Action.
Lucid Classics
Some years ago, I realized how many falsehoods I had accepted as truths in my younger years, and how doubtful were the conclusions I built on them. I decided that if I ever wanted to establish anything firm and lasting in the sciences, I had to start over from first principles. I had to clear away all my former opinions at least once in my life. This seemed like a massive undertaking, and I kept putting it off, waiting for the right stage of life: mature enough to take it on, but not so old that no learning was possible. I waited so long that I would now be blameworthy if I spent any more time deliberating instead of acting.
Molyneux translation, 1680
There are yet remaining many Things concerning Gods Attributes, and many things concerning the nature of my self or of my Mind, which ought to be searched into: but these perhaps I shall set upon at some other Opportunity. And at Present nothing seems to me more requisite (feeling I have discover’d what I must avoid, and what I must Do for the Attaining of Truth) then that I imploy my Endeavours to free my self from those doubts into which I have lately fallen, and that I try whether I can have any certainty of Material Things.
But before I enquire whether there be any such things Really Existent without Me, I ought to consider the Ideas of those things, as they are in my Thoughts and try which of them are Distinct, which confused.
Lucid Classics
There are still many things to investigate concerning God's attributes, and many things concerning my own nature or the nature of my mind. These I will perhaps take up at some other time. For now, nothing seems more pressing to me than this: having discovered what I must avoid and what I must do in order to reach truth, I should apply myself to freeing my mind from the doubts I have lately fallen into, and try whether I can arrive at any certainty about material things.
Before I inquire whether any such things really exist outside me, I ought to examine the ideas I have of them as they appear in my thoughts, and determine which of them are distinct and which are confused.
Contents
- Of Things Doubtful
- Of the Nature of Man's Mind
- Of God
- Of Truth and Falsehood
- Of the Essence of Material Things
- Of Corporeal Beings and Their Existence
- Objections and Answers