Many
scholars of philosophy have always debated on the existence of God, the Supreme
Being that guides us, controls and manages the most complex processes of nature.
The concept of God has always been a subject of great interest, argument and
discussion among scholars of various disciplines as human mind with its limited
intellectual capability and understanding about various processes of nature has
never been successful in providing a definite conclusion on whether the
existence of God is real. However, an important factor that determines the
existence of God is the efficiency and effectiveness observed in the way
various natural processes take place without any human interference. Since
ancient times, philosophers, scientists and intellectuals have always argued
and debated on the subject of whether God indeed exists without being
successful in providing a definite answer to the question. In fact, this question
is as complex as various processes involved in nature that simply emphasize on
the fact that phenomena of nature are not a jumbled process, but rather a
systematically designed unique plan.
In his philosophic works, a renowned
philosopher Rene Descartes presents his perspectives of God and how the concept
of God interferes with human nature and understanding. His controversial works
on metaphysical subjects appeared in 1641 in the form of Meditations on First Philosophy. In his work, Descartes reveals how
human nature and understanding interferes with the existence of God and alters
the way humans perceive things and nature. This paper will provide insights on
Descartes’ views on God and how human nature interferes in understanding the
existence of God.
Descartes’ Perception
of God and Human Nature
Descartes
presents his views on human nature and the existence of God in a very
understandable and systematic way. He states that human mind can realize the
existence of God through detachment from the physical world. His detachment and
interest from the worldly things let him focus and realize the supreme power of
God that created nature and universe. He opines that without the existence of
God, humans would not exist and human intelligence through its limited approach
to science and knowledge can never be able to discover the presence of God
unless the doubt of whether God exists is eliminated from within. According to
Descartes, a unique perspective that is derived from complete detachment of the
worldly interest is required to be able to experience and realize the presence
of that Supreme Being. He further states that the unique qualities of thinking,
judgment, perception and discovering the truth are all instilled in people by
God. He opines that God cannot be an illusion when we are practical and
existent. God, being a Supreme entity, has created us as perfect beings and the
lack of perfection in the form of knowledge that lies within us is mainly due
to man’s own inability to understand, learn and acquire knowledge. Descartes
gives an example of a craftsman who with his unique skills, persistence, and
practice masters the art of craftsmanship that can take a prolonged period of
time. He opines that God has installed definite positive attributes within us
and it is up to us to discover, develop and enhance those attributes of
personality that reward us for our existence. He further argues that humans
possess limited understanding and knowledge about the God while God, on the
contrary, has infinite capability, knowledge and understanding about each and
everything that lasts in this universe.
Evidence of God’s
Existence
Descartes
strongly emphasizes on the capability of mind to perceive things that are not
easily visible to our eyes and discards the belief that what does not appear,
does not exist. According to him, our senses help us measure, judge, perceive
and interpret things that have different sizes, colors, tastes, feelings and experiences.
He opines that God, being a Supreme Being, cannot be judged by senses but only
through our mind. Our mind is equipped with superior intelligence that can
perceive things beyond our senses and has the potential to understand and interpret
phenomena that are invisible and existent in universe. For example, the air
that we breathe is indispensable to life that cannot be seen, yet exists; the
atoms are invisible, yet atomic bombs are capable of destroying the world; the
flow of invisible electrons through metallic conductors that provide
electricity and many microscopic to macroscopic examples simply emphasize the
fact that when these invisible powers can run or ruin our civilization, so does
God, being a supreme power, exist.
Descartes attempts to explain the
existence of God providing some good examples of geometrical figures and
explaining the co-relation between a geometric figure and its unique
characteristics and how they are inseparable from each other. Applying this
principle to the existence of God, Descartes states that God exists because of
million truths that exist in nature in the form of their unique properties and
forms. So, God exists and the idea of God and his existence is inseparable from
each other emphasizing that there is a supreme being who possesses infinite
power and everlasting capabilities
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