From Science to Subjectivity

One of the great debates in Cartesian scholarship rages over the sincerity or insincerity of Descartes' theological metaphysics. The majority opinion is that Descartes was sincere. Walter Soffer, however, champions the minority position in his From Science to Subjectivity. His aim is the resolve the sincerity question concerning the Meditations as part of an interpretation of the latter's function within the Cartesian enterprise and its metaphysical legacy. He argues that...
More Description

One of the great debates in Cartesian scholarship rages over the sincerity or insincerity of Descartes' theological metaphysics. The majority opinion is that Descartes was sincere. Walter Soffer, however, champions the minority position in his From Science to Subjectivity. His aim is the resolve the sincerity question concerning the Meditations as part of an interpretation of the latter's function within the Cartesian enterprise and its metaphysical legacy. He argues that the insincerity view of the Meditations is faithful to Descartes' intentions. The book challenges the claim of Caton, the most outspoken proponent of the minority stance, concerning the demise of metaphysics as a serious and enduring philosophical activity.