Descartes’ socratic method Cover Image

Descartes’ socratic method
Descartes’ socratic method

Author(s): Adam Drozdek
Subject(s): Epistemology, Ethics / Practical Philosophy, Ancient Philosphy
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku
Keywords: Socrates; Descartes; the maieutic method; methodical doubting;

Summary/Abstract: Descartes considered himself as an originator of the method of methodical doubting, but, at the same time, he viewed his ideas as most ancient of all. In fact, he fairly closely followed in the footsteps of Socrates and his maieutic method of extracting the truth from an interlocutor in two phases: the elenctic method to demolish the interlocutor’s convictions and then coaxing the truth from him. Descartes’ methodical doubt is but a version of the elenctic method. Descartes also shares with Socrates the conviction of the existence of truth independent of the cognitive subject, which assured the possibility of successful conclusion of methodical doubting as well as the maieutic method.

  • Issue Year: 1/2012
  • Issue No: XXIV
  • Page Range: 215-232
  • Page Count: 18
  • Language: English
Toggle Accessibility Mode