Descartes' Proof of the Existence of Matter

Abstract

The primary purpose of this paper will be to offer an interpretation of Descartes' proof of the existence of matter as found in Meditation VI-an interpretation that is, I believe, the only one consistent with the relevant texts. The one guiding principle I use in offering this interpretation is the principle of charity, that is, when one interprets any philosopher's argument, an unsound argument should not be accepted as his unless there is no alternative interpretive argument that is both sound and consistent with the relevant texts of that philosopher. ' A secondary goal of this paper is to raise and discuss briefly some questions that I believe must be raised if the interpretation of Descartes' proof offered in this paper is correct. These questions have to do with the status of proof and of clear and distinct ideas in Descartes' metaphysics. The answers to these questions are beyond the scope of the present paper, yet they are raised here in order to suggest some of the more important ramifications that the present interpretation of Descartes' proof has for Cartesian philosophy. The central question of the proof of the existence of matter is, 'What causes the ideas of sense which I experience?' After Descartes rejects the possibility that the self is the unknown cause, and after he poses the three possibilities of a body, God, or an angel as the cause, Descartes continues his proof as follows: