Descartess opening statement in the first part of his discourse claims that common sense; or rather good sense of reasoning is equal amongst all. The idea that every individual has an equal amount of good sense (Descartes, 4) means that they should have the ability to decide whether something is true or false and the ability to judge correctly (Descartes, 4). Good sense gives us the ability to develop our sense of reason and through this we direct our thoughts along different paths, and consider different things (Descartes, 4). Our equal capacity for reasoning does not necessarily mean we will view things in the same capacity as others rather our reason allows us to explore different viewpoints in pursuit of truth and good judgment. Descartes believed that it was not enough to have a good mind if it were not used properly, in pursuit of true knowledge. Humans are rational beings, and that is what distinguishes us from animals. Descartes says though he has wished for qualities that he lacked; there is no quality other than good sense that can help perfect the mind. He humbles himself in saying that his mind is no better than most men since good sense is equal among all men. The differences in its degree exists only among accidents (Descartes, 6) as in our life experience require different degrees of good sense. Descartes understanding of the world is developed through his own considerations, maxims and developed methods in which he uses his good sense to understand his experiences. He uses his good sense and experiences to cautiously judge himself and though he presents the text as a painting, in order that each may judge of it (Descartes, 5) he allows for public opinion as he presents his methods and maxims in hopes that it will be a learning experience for him to develop his thinking and judgment. We are al
l brought up on the notion that truth is within the books we are taught with and rarely are we encouraged to question what we are taught and what is printed in books. It was only after he had completed his basic level of education that he became so encumbered with doubts and errors(Descartes, 6) realizing he was in fact more ignorant than he realized. The young minds he was surrounded by, who were judging him and learning alongside him encouraged him to pursue his own self-judgments. His teachings, he states, were essential in understanding myths, ancient texts and historical entities, which allow us to develop our judgments. The works we are taught in our upbringing are like a good conversation with the greatest gentleman of past ages, in which they make the best of their thoughts known to us(Descartes, 6) and through this Descartes was able to formulate his own judgments by reading about anothers. Understanding other individuals judgments allows us to judge our own more soundly (Descartes, 7) so that we understand different perspectives of things that we may otherwise believe to be wrong. Observing different ways of life, as Descartes spent years doing, allowed him to understand that there are different mores amongst people but they still have the capacity for reason though it may differ. Those who have not observed different ways of life may believe that different mores are ridiculous because it is not what they have been accustomed to. There needs to be a balance in understanding the practices of the past and the present so that one may not be so focused on one as to become ignorant of the other (Descartes, 7) in order to ensure knowledge is developing. Those who have developed their reasoning and in turn their judgments, are persuasive enough with their words to make others agreeable to their accounts.