UNDERSTANDING DESCARTES’ PHILOSOPHICAL METHOD AS A VECTOR OF ETHICAL AND SOCIAL VALUES
UNDERSTANDING DESCARTES’ PHILOSOPHICAL METHOD AS A VECTOR OF ETHICAL AND SOCIAL VALUES

Summary/Abstract: This essay focuses on an apparently neglected or otherwise unappreciated aspect of Descartes philosophy which is his moral and futuristic approaches to philosophical living. The focus is to examine the lessons of tolerance, prophecy, humility and steadfastness in Descartes, such as can be applied or adopted by philosophers in the modern day. We examine the degree to which Descartes’ views are theoretically valuable, practically useful and methodologically insightful for both philosophers and non-philosophers alike by reviewing the symbolic and demonstrative impacts of Descartes moral and prophetic powers. The justification of the study of Descartes’ practical ethics is brought in sharper relief when we not only realize that much of the discourse on Descartes has focus on epistemology and metaphysics but also that “the moral complications of shaping character are many” (Davis, 1990:35), hence there are other serious problems of social structure and agency confronting the contemporary philosopher in Africa.

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