The Meditations: Rene Descartes

Summary:
This book provides an accessible, readable, student-centred guide to Descartes' Meditations, which is a set text for AQA AS Philosophy.



Through lucid explanation, careful use of modern examples and engaging activities it leads students towards deeper understanding of Descartes' arguments and the wider philosophical implications of his ideas.



Key features include:

- a biographical introduction setting The Meditations in its historical context

- a step-by-step guide through the text of The Meditations including key quotes

- tasks and activities to stimulate thought and help readers understand and evaluate Descartes' philosophy

- a critical analysis of the philosophical implications of Descartes' ideas

- end-of-chapter key point summaries covering what readers need to know to answer exam questions on The Meditations

- an extensive glossary of key words and ideas

- thorough referencing to enable students to follow up key ideas and quotes in independent study.

• Intriguing and relevant tasks and activities
• Quotes from the set text of the Meditations
• End of unit key point summaries
• Thorough coverage of the requirements for AQA AS Philosophy
• Accessible explanation of key ideas

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Background and context
Chapter 3 Overview of the Meditations
Chapter 4 Meditation 1: The method of doubt and its application
Chapter 5 Meditation 2: The cogito and the nature of the mind
Chapter 6 Meditation 2: The experiment with the wax
Chapter 7 Meditations 3 and 4: The Trademark Argument; error and the will
Chapter 8 Meditation 5: The Ontological Argument
Chapter 9 Meditation 6: The proof of the existence of matter; Cartesian dualism
Chapter 10 The legacy of the Meditations
Glossary
Notes
Selected bibliography

About the Author(s):
The authors have been widely involved in introducing new learning methods into the field of A Level Philosophy. They have pioneered the use of games and simulations to sharpen philosophical understanding and critical thinking skills.


Daniel Cardinal is Head of Philosophy at Orpington College and teaches Philosophy at the Birkbeck Faculty of Continuing Education.

Jeremy Hayward is a lecturer at the University of London Institute of Education.

Gerald Jones is Head of Humanities at the Mary Ward Centre, London.

Readership:
Students of philosophy in schools, colleges and universities

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