DESCARTES: READING TOGETHER

facilitated by Prof. Kristin Primus

Descartes designed his Meditations to be thought with, or meditated upon: we readers are not just supposed to follow the Meditator's reports of his cognitive maneuvers, assessing the arguments he's making and eventually witnessing his arrival at the utmost certainty about foundational metaphysical matters—we're supposed to engage in the thinking for ourselves and bring ourselves to the very same certainty.

In our meetings, we will read the first few Meditations aloud, slowly and meditatively. We will reflect on the argumentative moves of the Meditations as well as the distinction between merely understanding how an argument is supposed to go and accepting an argument in a more wholehearted way.

This is a two-session seminar open to students, recent graduates (within 3 years of graduating) and faculty. We will read together during the seminar. Copies of reading will be provided to participants.

Date: Wednesdays, January 29 and February 5, 2025

Time: 5:00-6:15PM

Location: Berkeley Institute (2134 Allston Way, 2nd floor)

Session 1: First Meditation: What can be called into doubt

Session 2: Second Meditation: The nature of the human mind, and how it is better known that the body

Participants are welcome to attend one or both sessions.