Analysis of the Cartesian Proof for the Existence of God Essay

Analysis of the Cartesian Proof for the Existence of God - Essay Example Analysis of the Cartesian Proof for the Existence of God Rene Descartes’ philosophical enterprise is best understood within the context of the influential philosophical school of rationalism. To understand how Descartes came to offer a proof for God’s existence, it must be understood that his philosophical venture in the Meditations is in fact some sort of veiled theological treatise. In his letter to the Faculty of Theology of Paris, he writes: I have always been of the opinion that the two questions respecting God and the Soul were the chief of those that ought to be determined by help of Philosophy rather than Theology; for although to us, the faithful, it be sufficient to hold as maters of faith, that the human soul does not perish with the body, and that God exists, it yet assuredly seems impossible ever to persuade infidels of the reality of any religion, or almost even any moral virtue, unless, first of all, those two things be proved to them by natural reason. (Popkin 122). In trying to establish what ought to be considered as the reliable foundation of one’s beliefs, Descartes began his rational inquiry by doubting everything that can be doubted. It is only rational as per Descartes, to base all beliefs upon a foundation that cannot be doubted. Hence, he assumed that if he can arrive at that belief which can no longer be doubted, then he would have arrived at the only reliable foundation of knowledge. Material or physical foundations simply will not do, because they are not reliable.