Single Idea 24024

[catalogued under 2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 4. Aims of Reason]

Full Idea

It is necessary, in a series of objects, to recognise which is the simplest thing, and how all the others depart from it. This rule contains the whole secret of the method.

Gist of Idea

The secret of the method is to recognise which thing in a series is the simplest

Source

René Descartes (Rules for the Direction of the Mind [1628], 06)

Book Reference

Descartes,René: 'Rules for the Direction of the Mind' [Newcomb Library 2023], p.17


A Reaction

This is an appealing thought, though deciding the criteria for 'simplest' looks tough. Are electrons, for example, simple? Is a person a simple basic thing?