Doute et prudence dans la Première Méditation de Descartes

Abstract

At the very beginning of the First Meditation, Descartes states: "I have sometimes felt that these senses were deceitful, and it is prudence never to trust entirely those who have once deceived us". Doubt about the senses thus seems to be advanced as a rule of prudence. This formula raises several questions. We examine its sources, meaning and scope.

English title: Doubt and Prudence in Descartes’ First Meditation