d, to "divide each difficulty I should examine into as many parts as possible." The third stage he set out to organize his thoughts into the easiest to the most complex, therefore, creating an orderly examination of the "objects of knowledge." Finally, critical reviews of the "links in [the] argument" furthered his examination of the entire puzzle. Mr. Descartes' methodology was paramount to the period in which it was born. However, it's important to note that Descartes didn't think we could, as humans, understand all existence or phenomena. We cannot come to know God's purposes. Mr. Descartes was optimistic of the fact that all men are capable of rational thought or reasoning. He took to a quiet environment and contemplated the serious problem for which he wanted to reconcile within himself; ho can man learn knowledge. Facilitating the process of reason is the element Descartes terms, "the natural light of the mind." He argues that if we are to attain axiomatic truths we must be free of "precipitancy and prejudice", whereby reason, the natural light of the mind, shall guide us to the certainties which define our existence.Descartes' methodology was realized through his Metaphysical Doctrine, which asserted man and god's existence. In deep mediation the philosopher set out to deny everything which his senses told him. Descartes distrusted the sensory-perception process. Our senses deceive us. A fellow Enlightenment rationalist and scientist, Galileo Galilei (1563-1642) shook the foundations of the Church and man's place in the; world when he established through scientific inquiry that earth's role is within a heliocentric universe. Our senses, our vision, tell us that the sun rises and sets in the earth's sky daily. A deceptive reality, which made us, believe our role to be unique within the universe. When we examine connecting phenomena, we may come to know the evident reality of a sun-centered universe. The Roman Cath...
