Socrates Meets Descartes: The Father of Philosophy Analyzes the Father of Modern Philosophy's Discourse on Method

by Peter Kreeft

This is the 5th volume in the series of popular, small volumes by the well-known philosophy professor and prolific author, Peter Kreeft, in which the "Father of Philosophy", Socrates, cross-examines various other important philosophers and thinkers (in previous books he examined Marx, Sarte, Machiavelli, and Socrates himself.) In this work, Kreeft states that Socrates and Descartes are perhaps the two most important philosophers who have ever lived, because they are the two who made the most difference to all philosophy after them. These two fathers of philosophy stand at the beginning of the two basic philosophical the classical and the modern. Kreeft focuses on seven features that unite these two major philosophers and distinguish them from all others. So this dialog between Socrates and Descartes is a dialog between the fundamental stages in the history of philosophy, the history of consciousness, and the history of Western culture. Like his other works in this popular series, this book is profound and witty reading that makes for an entertaining and insightful exploration of modern philosophy. It will appeal to both the common reader as well as to those more philosophically inclined.

Genres: Philosophy, Christian, Fiction

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Peter Kreeft is an American philosopher and prolific author of over eighty books on Christian theology, philosophy, and apologetics. A convert from Protestantism to Catholicism, his journey was shaped by his study of Church history, Gothic architecture, and Thomistic thought. He earned his BA from Calvin College, an MA and PhD from Fordham University, and pursued further studies at Yale. Since 1965, he has taught philosophy at Boston College and also at The King’s College. Kreeft is known for formulating “Twenty Arguments for the Existence of God” with Ronald K. Tacelli, featured in their Handbook of Christian Apologetics. A strong advocate for unity among Christians, he emphasizes shared belief in Christ over denominational differences.

Reviews

[Trae Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

These conversation books by Kreeft are golden. They're entertaining and provide a basic understanding of particular philosophies, in this case Cartesian philosophy. While Socrates (Kreeft) reveals some of the faulty premises in Descartes' Discourse On Method, he doesn't fully explain nor explore everything that is wrong with it, and understandably so. He does, however, point to it. Thereby giving the reader a push-off towards further exploration on his own. There is a great part on p.166-69 when Socrates gets Descartes to realize that he has assumed himself to be God in his cogito. I won't say anymore. . .

[Zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Kreeft is a better philosopher than he is a theologian; accordingly, I am more satisfied with books like this one than with his theological or apologetics works. In this book, Dr. Kreeft examines Rene Descartes' Discourse on the Method. In its 237 pages, he outlines what he sees as the problems and contradictions of Cartesian thought, and ultimately delivers his verdict that Descartes' philosophy is fundamentally flawed.

The reader will want to read the primary text before reading this book, and a working knowledge of fundamental philosophical terms is helpful.

Overall, I recommend it; but sometimes Kreeft's humor doesn't quite sync with me...

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

René Descartes, the "father of modern philosophy", was a man on a quest for certainty. He wanted to bring the certitude of mathematics to philosophy so that humankind might find a way to end the endless debates and divisions that exist. He also wanted people to increase their understanding of nature so that we might create practical technologies that enable better lives. Descartes claims to have achieved all of this with his method, which he describes in his short book, Discourse on Method.

But was he successful?

This book (like others in the series) starts off with Socrates and Descartes meeting in an afterlife to discuss the philosopher's work. Through a dialogue, Socrates explores the major claims of Descartes. He asks questions, forces terms to be clearly defined, digs out unstated assumptions and reveals flaws in thinking.

Many readers will have heard of Descartes famous assertion: "I think, therefore I am."

I doubt (which is to think/have an idea)
Whatever thinks exists
Therefore I exist

This idea is explored as both a syllogism and a self-evident truth claim. It was the one idea that Descartes found that he thought would be accepted as universally certain and his whole approach requires this to be true. This was important because Descartes' approach started with doubting everything. He wanted to start with a "blank slate", and needed an idea that was certain from which he could build.

Socrates shows Descartes (and readers) that the "blank slate" wasn't so blank after all. There are implicit premises and assumptions that were not doubted by Descartes.

I assumed that there was an “I” behind the “think”.

and

You do not assume the truth of any ideas—except these three: the idea that you have ideas, and therefore that you have a mind, and therefore that you exist.

and

Is it possible to doubt the laws of logic in a meaningful way? Do you not use them, and thus presuppose them?

Socrates works through the book methodically, even pointing out that while Descartes sought to provide a philosophical system that could provide certainty he may have provided the foundations for a system he never intended - existentialism. An irony since that school, in a nutshell, argues that we must create our own meaning in a universe without meaning or ultimate truths.

For anyone tackling Descartes Discourse on Method or even his Meditations on First Philosophy I would highly recommend this book, as either a companion or as an immediate followup. It really helps the reader think through Descartes' work.

This book was a challenge to rate. It is an excellent critique of Rene Descartes' philosophical approach. But there were two things that detracted from it. The first, which can be overlooked, is the attempts at humor didn't always work. The second was more frustrating. Just as the book was digging into some of the main objections to Descartes ideas it would leave the reader hanging.

But this is yet another question which we must leave to the ambitious reader to pursue.

Despite these flaws, this book is an outstanding example of how to read and think critically. For that I rounded up and gave it four stars.

[Bennett Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent addition to an excellent series. Kreeft's imaginary conversation is much longer than Descartes' Discourse, but it is an excellent explanation and critique of his philosophy. And the final chapters are superb. I love using Pascal as the closer. Looking forward to reading the next one in the series. My only complaint is that I wish Kreef would offer more theological analysis. It's always good, I just want more of it.

[Christopher Armstrong · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining dialog that explore’s Descartes’ Discourse on Method. It’s certainly an opinionated analysis but this isn’t a detraction by any means. At times the conversation felt repetitive but I did like how certain thoughts were left to the reader to explore for themselves. Thank you Ian for the book!

[Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need time to reel out of the shock from painfully abstract dogmata. I do see how this is established as a gate opener for modern philosophy.