Philosophical Works · Chapter
VI explained
Descartes argues that we possess free will, which allows us to withhold assent from doubtful propositions and thereby avoid error, regardless of the power or deceitfulness of our creator.
What happens
Descartes argues that we possess free will, which allows us to withhold assent from doubtful propositions and thereby avoid error, regardless of the power or deceitfulness of our creator.
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Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This passage marks the story's dramatic climax because it presents the precise moment of epistemological crisi…
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Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Free Will and Error
The chapter emphasizes that free will enables us to withhold assent from doubtful matters, thus avoiding deception.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“we are nevertheless conscious of a freedom, by which we can refrain from admitting to a place in our belief aught that is not manifestly certain and undoubted, and thus guard against ever being deceived.”
We are aware of our freedom to refuse belief in anything that is not clearly certain, thereby protecting ourselves from deception.
Descartes asserts that free will is the means to avoid error by withholding assent from uncertain propositions.
