---
title: "Descartes | Modern philosophy | Thought Archive"
number: "043"
slug: "043-descartes"
author: "Wenzi / 文子"
language: "en"
canonical: "https://tongzai.space/en/thought-archive/043-descartes/"
is_primary_text: true
---

# Descartes（Modern philosophy）



## Common research question

**What exactly does cogito ergo sum establish?**

Descartes' methodic doubt suspends beliefs open to doubt. The cogito establishes certainty of the thinking self while thinking; by itself it does not prove the external material world. The Meditations then develops further arguments about God, truth, and material things. The steps should not be collapsed.

## Interpretive boundary

Distinguish the Discourse's formulation from the Meditations' argument.

## Archive evidence

- [E-06 ｜ Meditations II, AT VII 25](#E-06)
- [E-14 ｜ Meditations VI, AT VII 78–80](#E-14)