Descartes

By John Cottingham (editor),

Book cover of Descartes: Meditations on First Philosophy: With Selections from the Objections and Replies

Book description

Descartes's Meditations on First Philosophy remains one of the most widely studied works of Western philosophy. This volume is a refreshed and updated edition of John Cottingham's bestselling 1996 edition, based on his translation in the acclaimed three-volume Cambridge edition of The Philosophical Writings of Descartes. It presents the complete…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Descartes as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I think, therefore, I am.

Descartes’ ability to reject dogma and academic jargon, focusing instead on his own thought process to find truth, amazed me. As a writer, this is crucial: avoid parroting others and find your unique voice and personal worldview. At the same time, Descartes’ radical doubt felt risky. I don’t want to become overly critical of reality.

I see his work as a guide to intellectual empathy. It’s a way to understand ourselves and others through our shared human need for meaning.

Want books like Descartes?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Descartes.

Browse books like Descartes

Book cover of The Fountainhead
Book cover of Thus Spoke Zarathustra
Book cover of The Dice Man

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,224

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in western philosophy, philosophy, and presidential biography?

Philosophy 1,774 books