The Relationship Between Humans And God

Through Descartes' philosophical arguments, he portrays a complex relationship between God and humans that is in many ways a radical departure from contemporary Christian thought. One one hand, God is the ultimate foundation of reality. He is unquestionably real; Descartes argues that it is impossible that God should not exist. Moreover, Descartes claims that he is both the origin of reality and our existence and also what constantly secures that we continue to exist. He is also supremely good, all-powerful, and all-knowing. Indeed, Descartes defines God simply as that being which has all possible perfections. Descartes ends many chapters with exultations praising the power of God; he urges us to contemplate his "Divine Majesty" and "immense light" (64). In this way, God is quite central to the text.

God is also absolutely central to Descartes' philosophical arguments, as God is what allows Descartes to...