The Cartesian circle is an objection, raised by Descartes' contemporaries Marin Mersenne and Antoine Arnauld, to the structure of the argument in Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy. Descartes argues that clear and distinct perceptions can be trusted as true because God exists and is not a deceiver, but his proof that God exists itself relies on premises he accepts only because he perceives them clearly and distinctly. The objection charges that this is circular: Descartes needs God's existence to guarantee that clear and distinct perception is reliable, yet he needs to trust clear and distinct perception in order to prove that God exists, so neither claim can be used to secure the other without already assuming the very thing in question. The objection struck immediately at the heart of Descartes' foundationalist project and has remained a central topic in the interpretation of his epistemology ever since.
Facts
Origin YearSourced to the subject's own accountAntoine Arnaulds Fourth Objections, raising the circularity charge, were published together with Descartes Meditations, per the Objections and Replies convention, in 1641. Classification
Position KindSourced to the subject's own account Sources
1. Cartesian Circle (Wikipedia)
WikipediaCartesian Circle (Wikipedia), introductionQuote, Cartesian Circle (Wikipedia), introduction
The Cartesian circle (also known as Arnaulds circle) is an example of fallacious circular reasoning attributed to French philosopher Rene Descartes.
2. Meditations on First Philosophy (Wikipedia)
WikipediaMeditations on First Philosophy (Wikipedia), introductionQuote, Meditations on First Philosophy (Wikipedia), introduction
Meditations on First Philosophy... is a philosophical treatise by Rene Descartes first published in Latin in 1641.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the objection to Descartes called a circle rather than simply a flaw in one step of his reasoning?
Because the two claims prop each other up: Descartes needs God's existence to guarantee clear and distinct perception is reliable, yet his proof that God exists depends on premises he trusts only because he perceives them clearly and distinctly, so neither claim can secure the other without assuming what is in question.
The Cartesian circle is an objection raised by Descartes' contemporaries Marin Mersenne and Antoine Arnauld to the structure of the argument in Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy. Descartes argues that clear and distinct perceptions can be trusted as true because God exists and is not a deceiver, but his proof that God exists itself relies on premises he accepts only because he perceives them clearly and distinctly. The objection charges that this is circular: Descartes needs God's existence to guarantee that clear and distinct perception is reliable, yet he needs to trust clear and distinct perception in order to prove that God exists, so neither claim can be used to secure the other without already assuming the very thing in question. The objection struck immediately at the heart of Descartes' foundationalist project and has remained a central topic in the interpretation of his epistemology ever since.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.
View At A Past Year
Choose a year to see this entry's facts and connections as the atlas records them at that moment: what it held then, what it held instead, and what it had not yet adopted. Choose Present for the current record.