There is no use denying the fact that philosophy is an integral part of our society, Thought all the history of humanity people have been trying to cognize a great number of various objects and phenomena and philosophy was chosen as the main instrument of cognition. Scientists and thinkers created treatises in which they explained their points of view and tried to convince readers of the correctness of the given version. Very often various artistic devices and unexpected proposals and endings helped to create the needed effect and convince a reader. Being one of the most famous scientists and philosophers of his age, Descartes also created several works in which he tried to explain his own thoughts with the help of various tools.
Descartes is known for his great contribution to the development of various sciences, such as mathematics and geometry. However, he also introduced a certain religious discourse trying to proof the existence of God in his own especial way (Newman, 2014). The fact is that having an outstanding intellect, he managed to suggest a great number of various concepts and ideas that his contemporaries were not able to refute. That is why, a great number of his works are devoted to cogitations about the nature of cognition, though and the existence of God. The following reading selection is not an exception as it introduces the philosophers thoughts about the nature of various phenomena in the universe.
The given reading selection starts with the Descartes meditations about the universe and truth. Resting on the first lines of the given reading, one could suggest that these cogitations will lead a reader to a certain thought connected with the nature of cognition. Thus, continuing reading, it is possible to assure that the author goes deep into his own mental process, formulating the famous dogma “I am thinking therefore I exist” (Descartes, 1637, p. 15). That is why, a reader realizes the fact that the given work revolves around various aspects and concepts of cognition, its nature and the impact it has on a person. However, in the middle of the reading selection the author switches to the new line of talk, saying that a person is not able to think about the nature of the universe or perfectness without the help of some higher and perfect creature.
In terms of the given paper this shift seems rather unexpected as a reader awaits the continuation of the cogitation about the nature of things and cognition. However, the authors idea that thoughts of this kind appear in a persons head under the influence of God shifts the priorities and a reader starts to follow Descartes in his attempts to prove the existence of good with the help of tools and thoughts available to him. It is possible to say that the author manages to surprise a reader with the help of this shift and arouse interest for his further words. A reader is not able to stop reading, wanting to understand the main idea and reach the end of the given reading.
Besides, it should also be said that if a person knows the main Descartes ideas and theories, he/she could expect the above-mentioned shift from the nature of cognition towards the existence of God. However, Descartes managed to create the reading that could surprise and generate interest among readers even nowadays.
References
Descartes. R. (1637). Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting one’s Reason and Seeking Truth in the Sciences. Web.
Newman, L. (2014). Descartes’ Epistemology. Web.