“...reveal in this discourse what paths I have followed, and to represent my life as if in a picture...”
I think the Discourse reads like a slave narrative: early greatness and privilege, followed by life as a lost soul, adrift in confusion and sin, in captivity. Then all at once, perhaps through an intervention by a helpful benefactor, or the wily plan of a fellow slave, or whatever—and that heralded by a supernatural vision or dream—freedom, truth, enlightenment.
An interesting read: D’s Discourse and Douglass’s Narrative.
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Timothy Chow on the NF consistency proof and Lean
19 hours ago
5 comments:
Well I think that this Discourse is read as an older-aged person giving advice to the youth on what decisions he has made in the past and either the consequences or rewards as a result.
I think that Descartes is sharing his experiences of confusion and figuring out who he is so others in the same situation can see how he went about his journey. Its sort of like inspiration for those trying to do the same and maybe give them the boost to go out and figure their life out and what they want to get out of it.
I believe that Descartes was trying to say that he felt like he was trapped inside a painting. He seems to be lonely and writing this book was the only way to express himself since he had no friends. He says he wanted people to judge him themselves as they would a picture. he wanted to know what people thought of him without really having to ask them. He seems to get lost in his thoughts which is why i think he rambles so much. Its like he has his own little world in his head. I think on some level he may have been insane. He seem s to have so many thoughts in his head all at the same time that he just can not focus on just one. He talks about them all at the same time which is why I think some parts of the book are so hard to understand.
It seems as if Descartes is trying to find himeself and he is explains different methods that he is trying out. He isn't trying to make anyone follow what he does, he's just trying to share his story.
I really loved your analogy about early greatness then a life of a lost soul. In your life you constantly doubt, fail, and figure things out. I agree with Danielle that Descartes is sharing his life experiences and confusion with us to show us you can't always know what is true. Descartes just takes his doubt to the next level and loses himself in his ideas and confusion and thoughs.
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