Philosophical Works · Chapter
LXXVI explained
Descartes asserts that divine revelation is more certain than any human perception, and that in matters not revealed, one should only assent to what is clearly apprehended by reason, rejecting the unreliable judgments of childhood and the s
What happens
Descartes asserts that divine revelation is more certain than any human perception, and that in matters not revealed, one should only assent to what is clearly apprehended by reason, rejecting the unreliable judgments of childhood and the senses.
Themes in this chapter
Reason and Method
Descartes emphasizes that in non-revealed matters, one must rely on clear and distinct apprehension rather than the senses or childhood prejudices.
Skepticism and Certainty
The chapter contrasts the absolute certainty of divine revelation with the need for critical doubt and clear perception in philosophical inquiry.
Characters to notice
- René Descartes
Author of the principle that divine authority surpasses human reason, and that in non-revealed matters only clear and distinct perceptions should be accepted.
- God
Referred to as the source of revelation, whose authority is incomparably more certain than any human judgment.
Key passages
“Above all, we must impress on our memory the infallible rule, that what God has revealed is incomparably more certain than anything else; and that we ought to submit our belief to the Divine authority rather than to our own judgment, even although perhaps the light of reason should, with the greatest clearness and evidence, appear to suggest to us something contrary to what is revealed.”
We must always remember that God's revelations are infinitely more reliable than any human reasoning, and we should trust divine authority over our own intellect, even if reason seems to show the opposite with perfect clarity.
Descartes establishes the supremacy of faith over reason in matters of revelation.
“But in things regarding which there is no revelation, it is by no means consistent with the character of a philosopher to accept as true what he has not ascertained to be such, and to trust more to the senses, in other words, to the inconsiderate judgments of childhood than to the dictates of mature reason.”
In matters not covered by revelation, a true philosopher must never accept anything as true without verification, and must not rely on the senses or childish assumptions instead of mature rational thought.
Descartes insists on rational scrutiny and the rejection of sensory prejudice in philosophical practice.