From Science to Subjectivity: An Interpretation of Descartes' Meditations

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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.

Reviews

The A. dissents from the standard current interpretation of the Meditations according to which metaphysics depends upon theology. It is argued that such a metaphysics masks Descartes's radical theory concerning the primacy of science. The theology and account of subjectivity must therefore be understood to conform to the epistemic requirements of scientific ontology.-Bibliography of Philosophy
Walter Soffer's restudy of the Meditations in light of two decades of scholarly debate about the sincerity problem is an important contribution to the lively and increasingly diverse field of Cartesian studies. Aware that the sincerity problem embarrasses the scholar by unleashing a deceiving demon to play havoc with his interpretation, Professor Soffer combines thoroughness with procedural order to bring this spector under control. His argument that Descartes' theological metaphysics was insincere, but that his scientific epistemology was in earnest, challenges all parties to the debate while confirming many of their insights. The impartiality and perceptiveness which he brings to bear on sharp interpretative conflicts is a model of finesses that commends his study to all those who believe that by understanding Descartes we understand something essential about contemporary philosophical questions.-Hiram Caton, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
"The A. dissents from the standard current interpretation of the Meditations according to which metaphysics depends upon theology. It is argued that such a metaphysics masks Descartes's radical theory concerning the primacy of science. The theology and account of subjectivity must therefore be understood to conform to the epistemic requirements of scientific ontology."-Bibliography of Philosophy
"Walter Soffer's restudy of the Meditations in light of two decades of scholarly debate about the sincerity problem is an important contribution to the lively and increasingly diverse field of Cartesian studies. Aware that the sincerity problem embarrasses the scholar by unleashing a deceiving demon to play havoc with his interpretation, Professor Soffer combines thoroughness with procedural order to bring this spector under control. His argument that Descartes' theological metaphysics was insincere, but that his scientific epistemology was in earnest, challenges all parties to the debate while confirming many of their insights. The impartiality and perceptiveness which he brings to bear on sharp interpretative conflicts is a model of finesses that commends his study to all those who believe that by understanding Descartes we understand something essential about contemporary philosophical questions."-Hiram Caton, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia

Author Bio

WALTER SOFFER is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the State University of New York at Geneseo.