While most philosophers title written compilations of their thoughts treatises or discourses, Descartes titled this particular piece Meditations to emphasize to the reader the cooperative nature

At times Descartes’ argument is very mathematical in the formulation of his arguments, using logic as in the recurrent example “I think therefore I am.” While he never actually states “I think therefore I am”, this statement can be inferred as a direct conclusion to his premises in the second meditation. Throughout the rest of the Meditations, however, there are points at which Descartes expects the reader to make intellectual jumps (Descartes does not give as many clues as to his own thought process in arriving at the conclusion) thus forcing the reader to go through much the same type of thought process that Descartes was leading him through previously but this time with an altered idea. This makes the reader feel that he is formulating his own ideas and makes him more receptive to Descartes’ arguments. Additionally, the intellectual jumps that Descartes forces the reader to make are indeed proof that the reader is thinking, and thus existing.

of the work. Instead of simply preaching to the reader, Descartes wants the reader to meditate with him while he is reading the book, thus making the reader feel that Descartes’ ideas are also his own ideas. Thus the reader will be more easily convinced of Descartes’ argument since he feels that it is partly his own.

In the very beginning of the Meditations Descartes invites his readers into the comfort of his home – he introduces an arm chair, a fire, and the examination of his hand and the senses, all objects and ideas that any reader may easily relate to. By using these everyday ideas as his basis, it is quite simple for readers to relate to Descartes and join him in his meditations. Descartes invites readers to actively participate in meditating with him. Reading that Descartes (for the sake

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