Descartes was skeptical when it came to his education. He understood the value of being “book smart”, yet also knew that there was more to intelligence than that. Experience was a key factor in Descartes self sufficiency. He feels that he “mastered” (page 3) all he set out to teach himself but still was unsure of his results due to his increased and newly discovered ignorance. This is the beginning of Descartes’ desire for independence. He follows this discovery with the decision to decide what is important and worth retaining and what is not. Descartes emphasizes the importance of self-shaping, saying that when students take i

Descartes desires for self-sufficiency and the self-shaping of ones mind are the principle ideas behind Discourse on Method’s part one and two. Descartes offers this work as a guide to help his readers become independent and doesn’t force his own beliefs on those of his readers. “Thus my purpose here is not to teach the method that everyone ought to follow in order the conduct his reason well, but merely to show how I have tried to conduct my own (page2).” He also states that it is important to him that this work “…will be useful to some without being harmful to anyone, and that everyone will be grateful to [him] for [his] frankness (page 3).” Descartes believes that by following his methods, one can gain independence in all aspects of life. By achieving this, one can be more refined and will find a more meaningful life.

n all their teachers tell them, and then grow to become authority figures themselves, the students just reiterate the old, out of date lessons taught years before.

Part Two of the Discourse on Method discusses Descartes desire to rebuild his mind. In order to do this, Descarte

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