Ideas from 'Principles of Philosophy' by René Descartes [1646], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Philosophical Essays and Correspondence' by Descartes,René (ed/tr Ariew,Roger) [Hackett 2000,0-87220-502-9]].

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1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 2. Invocation to Philosophy

3656	The greatest good for a state is true philosophers

8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 3. Powers as Derived

16744

All powers can be explained by obvious features like size, shape and motion of matter

8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 1. Universals

5016	Five universals: genus, species, difference, property, accident

8. Modes of Existence / E. Nominalism / 2. Resemblance Nominalism

5015	A universal is a single idea applied to individual things that are similar to one another

9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 2. Substance / a. Substance

16630

If we perceive an attribute, we infer the existence of some substance

9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 2. Substance / d. Substance defined

5013	A substance needs nothing else in order to exist

9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 9. Essence and Properties

16633

A substance has one principal property which is its nature and essence

11. Knowledge Aims / B. Certain Knowledge / 4. The Cogito

3658	Total doubt can't include your existence while doubting

5005	I think, therefore I am, because for a thinking thing to not exist is a contradiction

5006	'Thought' is all our conscious awareness, including feeling as well as understanding

12. Knowledge Sources / A. A Priori Knowledge / 4. A Priori as Necessities

5012	'Nothing comes from nothing' is an eternal truth found within the mind

13. Knowledge Criteria / B. Internal Justification / 4. Foundationalism / b. Basic beliefs

5004	We can know basic Principles without further knowledge, but not the other way round

15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 1. Consciousness / b. Essence of consciousness

5014	We can understand thinking occuring without imagination or sensation

16. Persons / D. Continuity of the Self / 7. Self and Thinking

5017	In thinking we shut ourselves off from other substances, showing our identity and separateness

16. Persons / F. Free Will / 1. Nature of Free Will

5010	Our free will is so self-evident to us that it must be a basic innate idea

17. Mind and Body / A. Mind-Body Dualism / 1. Dualism

5011	There are two ultimate classes of existence: thinking substance and extended substance

17. Mind and Body / D. Property Dualism / 5. Supervenience of mind

5018	Even if tightly united, mind and body are different, as God could separate them

18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 6. Judgement / b. Error

5007	Most errors of judgement result from an inaccurate perception of the facts

20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 4. Responsibility for Actions

5008	The greatest perfection of man is to act by free will, and thus merit praise or blame

5009	We do not praise the acts of an efficient automaton, as their acts are necessary

26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 1. Nature

15987

Physics only needs geometry or abstract mathematics, which can explain and demonstrate everything

26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 2. Natural Purpose / c. Purpose denied

12730

We will not try to understand natural or divine ends, or final causes

26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 7. Later Matter Theories / c. Matter as extension

16601

Matter is not hard, heavy or coloured, but merely extended in space