The metaphysics of Descartes

A sound exposition and interpretation of Descartes' *Meditations* provides the basis for this study of Cartesian metaphysical doctrine. Descartes himself felt that the sum of all he had written on metaphysics was contained in the *Meditations*, which is rightly considered his masterpiece. In examining the *Meditations*, Dr. Beck holds criticism subsidiary to exegisls and seeks to explain Descartes' views in his own terminology. The principle adopted, that Descartes' arguments should be read in the contexts in which they were first conceived, is parallel to that of Dr. Beck' s previous book *The Method of Descartes*. An historical introduction prefaces the main exposition and includes a chapter on the *Objections* and *Replies*. In answer to the many criticisms of his doctrine, Descartes restates in the *Replies* the Cartesian Doctrine as accurately as possible. Dr. Beck, in presenting this material, links the objections of Descartes' time with more recent objections, such as those of Gassendi and Kant.