ESSAY

Make a critique in a more diagnostic mode: granted that many arguments have gone wrong,
identify how an argument has gone wrong and set it right. Be sure to consider the significance
of the new path you have set the argument on—for instance, how does it impact the broader
goals of the Meditations? If the correction impedes the larger goals, what is the significance
of that? Are the broader goals bad too? How?
In his fifth meditation of "Meditations on First Philosophy," Descartes lays out several
arguments aimed at proving the existence of God for the purpose of providing a metaphysical
foundation for building a rational inquiry into scientific discovery.
Central to Descartes' argument is the notion of innate ideas. Descartes posits that certain ideas,
such as the concept of perfection or God, are inherent to human understanding and do not rely
on sensory experience for their existence. He presents his idea through first reflecting on the
existence of certain ideas that seem to be present in the mind from birth, “it seems that I am
not so much learning something new as remembering what I knew before.” Descartes goes on
to explicitly address the idea of God later in the meditation when he presents his arguments for
his existence.
Descartes argues that this innate idea cannot be a product of sensory experience or human
invention but must instead originate from a perfect and infinite being, which he identifies as
God, “certainly the idea of God, or a supremely perfect being, is one which I find within me just
as surely as the idea of any shape or number. And my understanding that it exists is no less
clear and distinct than is the case when I prove of any shape or number that some property
belongs to its nature.”
Furthermore, in the third meditation, he distinguishes between formal reality, which pertains to
the existence of things in the external world, and objective reality, which refers to the reality of
ideas in the mind. Descartes argues that a perfect being, by definition, must possess both
infinite formal and objective reality. This concept serves as a crucial element in his ontological
argument, as it underscores the necessity of God's existence.
However, within its conception, Descartes' ontological argument encounters a significant
objection: the contention that existence cannot be treated as a predicate. It can be argued that
existence does not add anything to the concept of an object. This poses a challenge to
Descartes' argument, as it calls into question the validity of his reasoning. This objection
suggests that existence cannot be treated as a predicate because it does not add anything to
the essence or nature of an object. In other words, existence does not contribute to the
properties or qualities that define an object. Rather, it simply signifies whether the object is
instantiated in reality or not. Kant, for example, argued that existence is not a property or
characteristic that can be attributed to an object in the same way as other predicates, such as
color or size.
Instead, existence is the necessary condition for an object to have any properties or qualities at
all. Therefore, existence cannot be considered as an attribute that adds to the perfection or
essence of a being. The objection maintains that existence is not a predicate in the same sense
as other attributes because it does not contribute to the object’s essense. Instead, existence is a
necessary condition for the instantiation of any properties or qualities, making it distinct from
other predicates in philosophical discourse. This objection poses a significant challenge to
Descartes' ontological argument.
To address this objection and set the argument right, Descartes could delve deeper into the
nature of existence and its relation to perfection. By incorporating the concepts of unlimited
objective and formal reality, Descartes could offer a more robust justification for why existence
is inseparable from perfection. Descartes could argue that the idea of God, as a supremely
perfect being, possesses unlimited objective reality. This implies that the idea of God represents
the highest degree of reality possible, surpassing all other ideas in terms of completeness.
However, Descartes could further assert that such a lofty and perfect idea cannot originate
from a lesser source; it must stem from a being with corresponding formal reality. Here,
Descartes could assert that the concept of God's existence is inseparable from his perfection.
Since God is defined as a being possessing in all perfections, including existence, the idea of
God necessarily entails existence. In other words, if the idea of God represents the pinnacle of
perfection, it must include existence as a fundamental aspect, as existence is a necessary

attribute of perfection. Thus, the unlimited objective reality of the idea of God necessitates the
corresponding formal reality of God's existence.
By integrating these concepts, Descartes could provide a more robust justification for why
existence is inseparable from perfection. The idea of God, with its unlimited objective reality,
demands a corresponding formal reality in the existence of God Himself. This perspective
strengthens Descartes' ontological argument by illuminating the connection between existence
and perfection, thereby addressing the objection that existence cannot be treated as a
predicate.
By pursuing this alternative path and rectifying his argument, Descartes not only effectively
counters objections but also profoundly influences the overarching objectives of the
"Meditations on First Philosophy." Descartes' primary aim is to forge a pathway toward
absolute certainty and truth through rational inquiry.
Within this philosophical framework, demonstrating the existence of God assumes paramount
importance. It serves as a pivotal milestone in Descartes' task of establishing a foundation of
indubitable knowledge upon which all other truths can securely rest. By substantiating the
existence of God, Descartes not only reaffirms the coherence of his ontological argument but
also reinforces the validity of his methodological approach.

On the other hand, it could be argued that relying on philosophical proofs to establish religious
beliefs blurs the line between faith and reason and may ultimately fail to provide a satisfactory
basis for knowledge. Additionally, if Descartes' argument is unable to withstand scrutiny, it
could call into question the validity of his entire philosophical project and undermine the
confidence in his conclusions.

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Make a critique in a more diagnostic mode: granted that many arguments have gone wrong,

of that? Are the broader goals bad too? How?

foundation for building a rational inquiry into scientific discovery.

belongs to its nature.”

argument, as it underscores the necessity of God's existence.

However, within its conception, Descartes' ontological argument encounters a significant

other predicates in philosophical discourse. This objection poses a significant challenge to

Descartes' ontological argument.

perfection, it must include existence as a fundamental aspect, as existence is a necessary

corresponding formal reality of God's existence.

strengthens Descartes' ontological argument by illuminating the connection between existence

"Meditations on First Philosophy." Descartes' primary aim is to forge a pathway toward

absolute certainty and truth through rational inquiry.

importance. It serves as a pivotal milestone in Descartes' task of establishing a foundation of

also reinforces the validity of his methodological approach.

basis for knowledge. Additionally, if Descartes' argument is unable to withstand scrutiny, it

confidence in his conclusions.

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