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Descartes on God's Existence

Rene Descartes was a French philosopher who existed between 1596 and 1650.

Descartes considered the founding father of modern philosophy and a significant figure in

history since he provided several notable efforts to improve the quality of physics and

mathematics. Subsequently, his mediation philosophy explores the context of the human soul,

God's existence and the reality behind the materialistic universe (Copleston, 12). From his

philosophical arguments and writing, it can be argued that he was a firm believer in the dualism

of mind and body. The mind and the body, according to Descartes, are two separate substances.

He claimed that God exists, and he offers various explanations for God's presence through

ontological argument. The analysis of the nature of being is the subject of an ontological

statement. He explains that people, not God, are responsible for their mistakes. While Descartes

explores several concepts through his mediations, this paper examines the arguments addressing

the existence of God.

Numerous arguments are used to justify the presence of God.  According to Wilson

(1999), Descartes affirms that the concept of God constructs ideas, an eternal and autonomous

entity, supremely intellectual and strong, liable for establishing the world and all in it along with

himself. On the concept of eternal being, he states that he is insufficient to determine whether

God is infinite or not since he is a finite entity and cannot understand beyond that (McBrayer,
2018). As a result, only an infinite entity may represent another infinite existence, and he

believed that God is an eternal entity since he couldn't understand his nature. This represents

significant distinction, as he said that, through his tendency to deny all, God's existence should

not be questioned because there are several aspects he cannot justify, although they are evident

and present.

Descartes' Meditations constitute philosophical claims that lay the groundwork for

proving the existence of God. Through the Third Meditation, he presents substantial facts

addressing the existence of God's presence. Descartes provides an argument that establishes

contexts on the existence of a divine being. According to Antony (1968),  Descartes argues that

he is incomplete and holds an evidential certainty which entails perfection and thus develops a

clear impression of an ideal being (p24). Therefore, by considering himself a mortal founded on

the context of imperfection, Descartes asserts that he was a creation of a perfect being, who is

not only immortal but also one who exists the one who made him had to be flawless as well.

Humanity is flawed since everyone is embodied with various weaknesses, making them

imperfect. According to Langton (2000), Descartes claims that the concept of God is implanted

in our minds from the beginning of life. Descartes suggests he is a mere flawed being, and

therefore if he has the idea of an eternal flawless being, the perception should be brought forth by

an immortal being.

Throughout his study, he concludes that this celestial entity is justified in its existence.

Nevertheless, it's a philosophical aspect, so he can't validate its reality. To explain this

interpretation, he establishes a fundamental reality law stating that everything he conceives must

be valid. For him to eligibly show that he and other people are nothing but rational beings who

are finite and imperfect, he should first be willing to embrace the concept of the existence of
evil geniuses, which he may only accomplish if he would substantiate that God exists. For him,

confirming the existence of God is critical, and if he encounters a failure, he would be unable to

continue his quest for enlightenment. In the third mediation, Descartes supports the existence of

God through metaphysical arguments. Descartes argues on the maintenance of his existence in

justifying God's existence. He insists that since he is an incomplete, finite being, he cannot

sustain his life independently; therefore, there must be a perfect, eternal being who powers his

existence.

Descartes explores several arguments why he thinks there is a supreme deity. He insists

that if he were to create himself, he would make an ideal being of limitless strength and

influence, but a superior form should have formed him because he has certain shortcomings. He

also claims that if no eternal being exists, there would be supernatural causation. Even though

parents are our creator, they cannot be considered God because they are also imperfect being

with many limitations, leading to an infinite regress, such as who created parents and will go on.

Nevertheless, until he can justify his presence, he argues that the implications for occurrences

contain fewer truths than their trajectory. This suggests that something actual must have been

generated or driven on by something similar or, more likely, better existence beyond the existing

entity (Wilson 22). He argues that there is the likelihood of inherent existence that enables the

prospects for a concept to be created. According to the analysis, if he could establish the concept

which has a fact that appears to be more rational than he theoretically was incapable of

acquiring, then something else is outside his competence that triggered the concept. Therefore,

the establishment of the idea justifies that the entity does exist, although he lacks the knowledge

of its place of existence. Therefore, based on this argument, Descartes justifies the existence of

God. 
 Further, Descartes argues that his mind can understand and comprehend the truth behind

everything, including the perception of God's existence. Descartes' theory to establish God's

presence and its significance are reflected in the Meditations through philosophies,

which Descartes describes as his metaphysical quest to discover and find real knowledge. He

argues that the main approach in figuring out each of these solutions would be to consider all of

the simple fundamental facts, examine them methodically, and attempt to dismiss them and any

thought they presented (Anthony, 25). From this perspective, Descartes' key concept is to sow

scepticism or rejection in as many ideas as he can. Therefore, he notes that something that has

the potential to be questioned, according to him, must be excluded from the chase. He came up

with the evil genius theory enabling him to generate as much uncertainty as possible. In his

theory, he incorporates a greater divine force that influences what he learns and thinks.

In Meditation IV, Descartes argues that denying or affirming a stance on an issue is an

example of misusing our God-given free will After making his case for God's existence; he

argues that the concept of God is not based on the personality of a lie and that humanity's

universal applicability is justified because God is a divine being who created humankind.

Descartes contends that God gave humanity free will, and therefore it is free will that enables

them to explore the idea of life. However, since people have so much free will, they like to

complain about things they don't comprehend, which is the root of mistake. Descartes contends

that the best way to be completely error-free is to refrain from passing judgement while

something is unknown. It would be a mistake to believe something, whether by acknowledging

or rejecting it (Wilson, 45). However, if the inference is right, it is still a human mistake as such

awareness (understanding) can be employed to determine a judgment instead of just the

conviction of the will. Descartes defends God's plan to make humanity finite by arguing that

equality is accomplished when one knows the facts and uses them to make rational decisions.

Therefore, by being finite entities, people lack a clear understanding of the world, which

affect their free will. He argues that free will causes all error, not just the free will on its own, but

rather enables people to establish and judge ideals that they do not have clear knowledge and

understanding. Humans judge knowledge according to their perspective. Descartes claims that

while information is not clear, people burrow at it and prefer not to accept it. God did not grant

humanity the ability to make errors (error); instead, he gave us the ability to decide what they

embrace and what they do not support. Humans now have the opportunity to choose either to

be ethical or unethical (Copleston, 27). When they make bad decisions, they generally don't want

to admit that. They will also commit errors if their understanding is incorrect. It is probable to

provide inaccurate information, assume the information, and make choices dependent on that

false information. Descartes' claims about free will and using it to justify divine perfection and

God's paradigm reveal many inconsistencies in his logic. Therefore, based on the identified

aspects of Descartes arguments on God's existence, it can be asserted that while Descartes'

conception of rational choice and its relationship to celestial preordination appears flawed and

illogical, it offers insights into the various contexts that detail the presence of a supreme being.

Descartes' perspectives make it easy to doubt God's presence and the claim that he is divine

instead of justifying his superiority.

Conclusion

According to this theory, he admits that he is not perfect and grants God ownership of all

dualities and abilities. He further claims that God is conscientious and authentic because he is

constantly expanding his understanding. It is correct to rely on his findings since other thinkers
and theorists have been unable to determine God's existence. His behaviour and personality will

remain a mystery since he can do the things that no one else in the universe could. And those

who are called geniuses are unable to justify any of his conduct. As a result, Descartes' claims

have effective and comprehensive facts confirming the presence of God. He provides a concise

and compelling answer for a complex topic. He explains that people can't be their own God.

When they look at themselves, individuals can see that they have shortcomings and flaws, and

they are powerless to build themselves, so there must be a perfect creator, God. Humans do

many things to survive, but the power makes everyone convinced their prospects for

sustenance can only come from God. God endows everyone with intellect and free will, allowing

them to make their own decisions. They may continue to trust in God by their choice; however,

that particular will is capable of causing faults.

Works Cited

Copleston, Frederick. A History of Philosophy. A&C Black, 1999.

Kenny, Anthony. Descartes: A Study of His Philosophy. Random House, 1968.

McBrayer, Landon. "Cartesian Aseity in the Third Meditation." Journal of Analytic Theology,

vol. 6, 2018, pp. 217-233, doi:10.12978/jat.2018-6.110013120217.

Wilson, Margaret D. Descartes. Routledge, 1993.