The metaphysics of Augustine and the foundation of the cartesian science

Cadernos Espinosanos 37:291-313 (2017)
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Abstract

The aim of this paper is to show to what extent Descartes can be situated within the Augustinian metaphysical tradition and to what extent he has departed from it. To this end, we will argue that Descartes has borrowed his main Meditations’ arguments from Augustine’s philosophy. However, in spite of all factual and textual evidence we will provide against the originality of Descartes’ metaphysical discussions, it will be stressed, on the other hand, that in borrowing not only the cogito argument, but also some general features of his philosophy from Augustine’s works, Descartes intends to frame a metaphysics which will be the ground on his new mechanistic physics. Having this in mind, we will hold that no claim can be put forward against the originality and far-reaching scope of Descartes’ philosophical intentions. Indeed, Descartes’ purpose is to build a new science under a metaphysics, even though this metaphysics is the Augustianian one.

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References found in this work

Descartes' System of Natural Philosophy.Stephen Gaukroger - 2002 - New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
Descartes and Augustine.Stephen Philip Menn - 1998 - New York: Cambridge University Press.
Descartes and Augustine.Stephen Menn - 1998 - Revue Philosophique de la France Et de l'Etranger 192 (4):455-457.
Descartes and Augustine.William E. Mann - 2000 - Philosophical Review 109 (3):438-441.

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