Meditations on First Philosophy

Meditations on First Philosophy as a response to the skepticism prevalent in his time and as an attempt to establish a foundation for certain knowledge. He wanted to find a method that would lead to indubitable truths free from doubt and build a solid philosophical system based on these certain foundations. Method of Doubt: Similar to his approach in Discourse on the Method Descartes begins his meditations by employing a method of doubt. He calls into question all his beliefs including those based on the senses and subjects them to the most radical skepticism. Cogito Ergo Sum: In the famous Second Meditation Descartes reaches his first indubitable truth: Cogito ergo sum (I think therefore I am). The act of doubt itself proves ones existence as a thinking being. The Nature of the Mind: Descartes explores the nature of the mind and concludes that it is better known than the body. He asserts the distinction between the mind (res cogitans) and the body (res extensa) laying the foundation for his mind-body dualism.