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Philosophical Works · Character

The Atheists

Opponents of religious belief criticized by Descartes as superficial thinkers.

minor

Also known as the atheists , who are in general sciolists rather than ingenious or learned

First appearance: meditation iii of god that he exists

The Atheists shows up with force in Dedication. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Described as sciolists who deny God's existence and the soul's immortality, targeted for refutation.
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In Dedication: Described as sciolists who deny God's existence and the soul's immortality, targeted for refutation. Later, in Preface to the Reader: Criticized for using common arguments against God's existence based…

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See The Atheists in meditation iii of god that he exists

Character Web

2 connections

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GOGodNANarratorTAThe Atheists

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Descartes' philosophical interlocutors
  • Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • 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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The Atheists appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

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See The Atheists in meditation iii of god that he exists
Who is The Atheists in Philosophical Works?