Influence and Legacy
The historical impact of the six meditations has been divided. The first two meditations, which employed the skeptical methodic doubt and concluded that only the ego and its thoughts are indubitable, have had a huge impact in the history of philosophy. They are often considered as epoch-making for modernity, and an unavoidable first step for any modern philosophical thinking. The remaining four, which attempt to overcome skepticism and prove the existence of God, have been of minor interest.
Edmund Husserl, founder of phenomenology and a strong influence on 20th Century European philosophy, argued that the first two meditations are the only part of Descartes's work with any philosophical importance at all.
Read more about this topic: Meditations On First Philosophy
Famous quotes containing the words influence and, influence and/or legacy:
“Modern Western thought will pass into history and be incorporated in it, will have its influence and its place, just as our body will pass into the composition of grass, of sheep, of cutlets, and of men. We do not like that kind of immortality, but what is to be done about it?”
—Alexander Herzen (1812–1870)
“What do women want with votes, when they hold the sceptre of influence with which they can control even votes, if they wield it aright?”
—Mrs. H. O. Ward (1824–1899)
“What is popularly called fame is nothing but an empty name and a legacy from paganism.”
—Desiderius Erasmus (c. 1466–1536)