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DESCARTES' VIEWS ON GOD.
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His ontological argument (a priori) and 'a posteriori demonstration of God's existence.... More...
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Paper Abstract:
His ontological argument (a priori) and 'a posteriori demonstration of God's existence. Concept of perfection. Proofs of God's existence. Examining the reality of God. Descartes' belief in God the Giver and Creator. Free will of man as proof. Differences between existence of God & essence of God. Flaws in Descartes' reasoning.

Paper Introduction:
Descartes and God “More consequences for thought and action follow from the affirmation or denial of God than from answering any other basic question” (Hutchins 543). It is a fact that, long before Descartes, Man often thought of himself as the supreme being of the Universe, and still obedient to, or believing in, or trusting some superhuman Being called God. While for millennia, philosophers have debated the idea or ideas of God, Descartes states that “ONE idea alone, becomes the basis for such an inference. He supplements his a priori or ontological argument with what he calls ‘a posteriori demonstration of God’s existence from the mere idea that God exists in us’” (Hutchins 554). God exists, Descartes writes, because “He possesses every sort of perfection…(and) existence is one of them” (Descart

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The existence of something ideal and perfect means thatbelievers and non-believers alike have to give credence to God's existence. Descartes states that it is vital that, when one believes in theexistence of God, that "we should not consider one creature separately,when we inquire whether the works of God are perfect, but should regard allhis creations together" (Descartes 9 ). (ed.) Great Books of the Western World, Syntopicon, Vol. Theremay be some who believe that Theism is a deceptive belief, withassumptions, rather than proof. It is a fact that, long before Descartes, Man often thought ofhimself as the supreme being of the Universe, and still obedient to, orbelieving in, or trusting some superhuman Being called God. He also makes it quite clear on a number ofoccasions that proof of the existence of God is that, alone among all otherbeings there is no "proof" of God's creation. That, it would seem merely be acceptance ofthat theory, makes God less than ideal and perfect. The perfect ideal is, in part,responsible for creating and doing things that ordinary Man does notunderstand. God is something infinite, unlike Man. In addition, God has givenhim more than sufficient will- "more ample than my understanding"(Descartes 92). What Descartes really doesnot provide in his awareness that God exists is to proclaim God LIVES.Perhaps that is the wedge through which theists and deists and others whobelieve in some sort of God-like phenomenon can move to provide theircounter-arguments. 31 Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1952.Hutchins, Robert M. Does not the mere existence of something orsomeone preclude perfection, unless, of course the existence is not a life,but something over which life has no control. Descartes is quick to point out the difference between the existenceof God and the essence of God. One needs to look at the flaws through the eyes of less philosophicalthinkers -- namely, those who believe in God, but not necessarily as alwaysa merciful God. He supplements his a priori or ontological argument with what hecalls 'a posteriori demonstration of God's existence from the mere ideathat God exists in us'" (Hutchins 554). One must realize, of course, that Descartes lived in a time whenphilosophy was skewed toward approval from a strong Church. "Bythe name God, I understand a substance that is infinite (eternalimmutable), independent, all-knowing, all-powerful, and by which I myselfand everything else, if anything else does exist, have been created"(Descartes 86). God can help Mandistinguish between Truth and Falsehood, according to Descartes. There are those who believe that God, as He exists, is avengeful and punishing God. The steps toward examining the reality of God seems to lie inDescartes belief in God the Giver and Creator: that, literally everythingin Man and Nature- whether power or free will, is a "gift" provided by theexistence of God, and not merely from a fellow Man. God exists, Descartes writes,because "He possesses every sort of perfection...(and) existence is one ofthem" (Descartes 94). Perhaps, to one youthful critic, Descartes'steps and rationalization are mental -- of the mind -- rather than seeingthe existence of God in one's heart. Descartes and God "More consequences for thought and action follow from the affirmationor denial of God than from answering any other basic question" (Hutchins543). One mustassume, therefore, that God's existence is the only means of trulymeasuring the difference, since Man is imperfect, and therefore may notalways be able to distinguish clearly between the two. In other words, the debate should not be merely aboutthe essence or existence of God, but whether there is a LIVING God, orwhether it is merely a representation within the nature of our world. Proof of God's existence, in the various steps that Descartes takes,begin with his having been "given" free will. God's existence is proved, so Descartes says, because he has placedideas in him, and that Descartes follows the ancient Biblical belief thatMan was created in His image. Descartes refutes those who claim that they came from their parents."There must be as much reality in the cause as in the effect" (Descartes87). God exists because, in a sense, ideas come from outside a person, andtherefore it can be assumed that they come from some infinite Source. Finally, Descartes provides a definition in his Arguments:"That substance which we understand to be supremely perfect and in which weconceive absolutely nothing involving defect or limitation of itsperfection, is called God" (Descartes 13 ). 2 Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1952. So, if Descartes cansay Cogito, ergo sum!" what he is really saying is that God has crated him,and that this creation is able to think, something that, without God, wouldbe impossible. While for millennia, philosophers have debated the idea or ideas ofGod, Descartes states that "ONE idea alone, becomes the basis for such aninference. What the word "ideal" and"perfection" and the phrase "without flaws" means is an individualdefinition. So, this universe, this idealperfection that provides life force for every other living being exists, soDescartes argues, if for no other reason than to prove the imperfection ofMan, one of His creations. Works CitedDescartes, Rene "Meditations on the First Philosophy,"Great Books of the Western World, Vol. But, if thereare flaws in his reasoning and his steps for finding perfection, it couldwell be -- for one thing -- a semantic one. As amathematician, Descartes compares the reality and existence of God with thereality that two plus three equals five, or the existence of a triangle(94). One might also look at his statement that God is not a "deceiver"(95) and try to make some sense out of the meaning of "deception".

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