# Narrator — Philosophical Works character guide > Narrator in Philosophical Works by René Descartes. **Role:** major **Also known as:** I, me, myself, mine **First appearance:** 0000-discourse-on-the-method-of-rightly-conducting-one-s-reason-and-of-seeking-truth-in-the-sciences ## Snapshot A solitary thinker who strips away every belief he can doubt, then catches himself trusting the fire's warmth against his own rules. ## Who they are This first-person voice is not a man with a biography but a mind at work, sorting its ideas into innate, adventitious, and self-made, and asking which of them can be trusted. His defining tension is between the natural impulse to believe his senses and the natural light that alone can ground certainty — he admits the former has led him toward the worse part before. Watching him catch his own unexamined assumptions is what makes the early meditations feel less like doctrine and more like a live struggle. ## Relationships ### [God](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/characters/god) _psychological_ The narrator concludes a philosophical argument by appealing to God's perfection. ### [Plato](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/characters/plato) _professional_ The narrator examines and critiques Plato's philosophical concepts and dialogues. ### [God](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/characters/god) _psychological_ The narrator engages in intense philosophical introspection and dialogue with God, often questioning divine nature and existence. ## In the story ### [Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting One’s Reason and of Seeking Truth in the Sciences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/discourse-on-the-method-of-rightly-conducting-one-s-reason-and-of-seeking-truth-in-the-sciences) The first-person narrator, representing Descartes, recounts his intellectual journey and method. ### [Prefatory Note by the Author](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/prefatory-note-by-the-author) The author speaks in the first person, referring to himself as 'the Author' and outlining the structure of the work. ### [Discourse on the Method](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/discourse-on-the-method) The first-person narrator who undertakes the method of doubt and discovers the cogito. ### [Meditations on the First Philosophy: In Which the Existence of God and the Immortality of the Soul Are Demonstrated](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/meditations-on-the-first-philosophy-in-which-the-existence-of-god-and-the-immortality-of-the-soul-are-demonstrated) The first-person narrator who undertakes the meditative journey, doubting all things and discovering the cogito, God's existence, and the distinction between mind and body. ### [Synopsis of the Six Following Meditations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/synopsis-of-the-six-following-meditations) The narrator (Descartes) presents the synopsis of the meditations, explaining the order and purpose of each. ### [Meditations on the First Philosophy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/meditations-on-the-first-philosophy) The narrator reflects on the certainty of knowledge, the role of God, and the nature of perception and error. ### [Meditation I: Of the Things of Which We May Doubt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/meditation-i-of-the-things-of-which-we-may-doubt) The first-person voice of Descartes, who undertakes the project of universal doubt. ### [Meditation II: Of the Nature of the Human Mind; and That It Is More Easily Known Than the Body](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/meditation-ii-of-the-nature-of-the-human-mind-and-that-it-is-more-easily-known-than-the-body) The narrator (Descartes) recounts his philosophical journey, expressing doubt and seeking certainty. ### [Meditation III: Of God: That He Exists](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/meditation-iii-of-god-that-he-exists) The meditator who systematically doubts and examines his own nature, seeking to establish a foundation for knowledge. ### [Meditation IV: Of Truth and Error](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/meditation-iv-of-truth-and-error) The meditator reflects on his own nature, the source of error, and the proper use of free will. ### [Meditation V: Of the Essence of Material Things; and, Again, of God; That He Exists](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/meditation-v-of-the-essence-of-material-things-and-again-of-god-that-he-exists) The meditating 'I' who reflects on clear and distinct ideas, mathematical truths, and the ontological argument for God. ### [Meditation VI: Of the Existence of Material Things, and of the Real Distinction Between the Mind and Body of Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/meditation-vi-of-the-existence-of-material-things-and-of-the-real-distinction-between-the-mind-and-body-of-man) The first-person voice conducting the inquiry into the existence of material things and the nature of mind-body union. ### [Selections from the Principles of Philosophy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/selections-from-the-principles-of-philosophy) First-person perspective used in reasoning about doubt, perception, and the order of knowledge. ### [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/dedication) First-person voice of Descartes in the dedication. ### [Selections from the Principles of Philosophy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/selections-from-the-principles-of-philosophy) The philosophical 'I' who undertakes the method of doubt and arrives at the Cogito. ### [Part I: Of the Principles of Human Knowledge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/part-i-of-the-principles-of-human-knowledge) The philosophical 'I' who undertakes the method of doubt and arrives at the cogito. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/i) The voice of the text, reflecting on the need to doubt all things once in life. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/ii) The voice presenting the methodological advice to doubt all that is uncertain. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/iii) The narrator advises on the proper scope of doubt, distinguishing theoretical contemplation from practical action. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/iv) The narrator adopts a posture of universal doubt, questioning the reliability of the senses and the distinction between dreaming and waking. ### [Why we may also doubt of mathematical demonstrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/v) The voice conducting the meditation, expressing the universal 'we' in the process of doubt. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/vi) The narrator reflects on the freedom of the will to withhold assent from uncertain things. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/vii) The philosophical 'I' that doubts and thereby affirms its own existence. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/viii) The 'we' who examines the nature of the mind and discovers its distinctness from the body. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/ix) The narrator (Descartes) defines thought and distinguishes bodily acts from the consciousness of those acts. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xi) The first-person voice that reasons about the certainty of the mind's existence. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xii) The narrator explains the common error of conflating mind and body. ### [In what sense the knowledge of other things depends upon the knowledge of God](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xiii) The mind that knows itself and examines its own ideas and common notions. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xiv) The mind that reviews its ideas and infers God's existence. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xvi) The narrator explains the obstacle of prejudice in recognizing God's necessary existence. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xvii) The narrator reflects on the relationship between the perfection of ideas and their causes. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xix) The narrator reflects on the clarity of God's perfections despite their incomprehensibility. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xxi) Presents the argument that the duration of life proves God's existence. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xxii) The narrator reflects on the innate idea of God and the attributes that can be known through natural reason. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xxiv) The voice guiding the reader from knowledge of God to knowledge of creatures, emphasizing the finitude of human understanding. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xxv) The narrator presents the argument for accepting divine revelation beyond human reason. ### [Chapter XXVII: On the Indefinite and the Infinite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xxvii) The narrator explains the distinction between the indefinite and the infinite, using 'we' to represent the philosophical perspective. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xxviii) The voice presenting the argument against seeking final causes and in favor of efficient causes. ### [The Guarantee of Truth Through God's Veracity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xxx) The narrator articulates the resolution of doubt through God's veracity. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xxxii) Presents the classification of thought into perception and will. ### [That we never err unless when we judge of something which we do not sufficiently apprehend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xxxiii) The narrator explains the nature of error and the importance of clear and distinct perception. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xxxiv) The narrator presents the argument that both understanding and will are necessary for judgment. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xxxvi) The voice presenting the argument that God is not responsible for our errors. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xxxvii) The narrator presents the argument that free will is the chief perfection of man. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xxxviii) The narrator presents the argument that error stems from our mode of action, not our nature. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xxxix) The 'we' and 'us' representing the thinking subject experiencing the consciousness of free will. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xl) The voice reflecting on the difficulty of harmonizing God's preordination with free will. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xli) The narrator reflects on the reconciliation of free will and divine preordination. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xlii) Explains the paradox of error arising from the will despite no one wishing to be deceived. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xliv) The narrator reflects on the nature of judgment and the deceptive role of memory. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xlv) The narrator explains the criteria for clear and distinct perception. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xlvi) The narrator explains the distinction between clear and distinct perceptions using the example of pain. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xlvii) The narrator reflects on the mind's immersion in the body during early years and the need to correct prejudices. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xlviii) The narrator presents the classification of all objects of knowledge into things and eternal truths. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xlix) The narrator presents the classification of eternal truths as common notions or axioms. ### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/li) The voice explaining the concept of substance and its application to God and creatures. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/liii) The narrator presents the argument that each substance has a principal attribute. ### [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/liv) The narrator explains the method for obtaining clear and distinct ideas of thinking substance, corporeal substance, and God. ### [LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/lv) The narrator explains the distinct conception of duration, order, and number as modes of thinking about things. ### [LVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/lvi) The narrator explains the philosophical distinctions among modes, qualities, and attributes. ### [LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/lvii) The narrator explains the distinction between attributes existing in things and those existing only in thought, using time as an example. ### [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/lviii) Presents the argument that number and universals are modes of thinking. ### [LIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/lix) The narrator explains the formation of universals and the five common terms. ### [Of the Modal Distinction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/lxi) The narrator explains the nature of modal distinctions, using examples such as figure and motion in corporeal substance, and affirmation or recollection in the mind. ### [How Thought and Extension May Be Distinctly Known](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/lxiii) The narrator explains the distinction between thought and extension as constituting the natures of mind and body. ### [LXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/lxiv) The narrator explains the distinction between modes and substance regarding thought and extension. ### [LXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/lxv) The narrator explains the method for apprehending modes of thought and extension. ### [LXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/lxvi) The narrator (Descartes) explains the proper method for judging sensations, affections, and appetites. ### [LXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/lxvii) The narrator presents the argument that sensations like pain are misattributed to body parts due to early prejudices. ### [LXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/lxix) The narrator presents the distinction between primary and secondary qualities. ### [LXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/lxx) The narrator explains the two ways of judging sensible things and the nature of color perception. ### [LXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/lxxi) The narrator describes the early life of the mind and the origin of prejudices. ### [LXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/lxxii) Reflects on the persistence of childhood prejudices and their role in causing errors. ### [LXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/lxxiii) The narrator describes the mind's difficulty attending to non-sensible objects and the resulting errors in judgment. ### [LXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/lxxiv) The narrator (Descartes) identifies the fourth source of error and reflects on the relation between words and thoughts. ### [LXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/lxxv) The narrator presents the summary of correct philosophizing, speaking in first-person plural ('we'). ### [Part II: Of the Principles of Material Things](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/part-ii-of-the-principles-of-material-things) The 'I' who doubts, perceives, and reasons through the principles of material things. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/i) The voice of the philosophical investigation, reasoning about the existence of material things. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/ii) The narrator describes the mind's awareness of sensations arising from its union with the body. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/iii) The narrator presents the argument that sensory perceptions serve the mind-body union, not objective truth. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/iv) The voice presenting the argument that the nature of body is extension alone. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/v) Presents the argument that the nature of body is extension alone and refutes common misconceptions. ### [In what way rarefaction takes place](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/vi) The narrator presents the explanation of rarefaction and condensation, urging the reader to attend to their own thoughts and admit only what is clearly conscious. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/vii) The first-person voice presenting the argument on rarefaction. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/viii) The narrator presents the argument that quantity and number differ from substance only in thought. ### [Of Space or Internal Place](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/x) The narrator presents the philosophical analysis of space and body. ### [How Space Differs from Body in Our Mode of Conceiving It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xii) The narrator explains the conceptual distinction between space and body. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xiii) The narrator explains the concept of place and its relativity. ### [Wherein Place and Space Differ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xiv) The narrator explains the distinction between place and space. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xv) The narrator explains the distinction between internal and external place, and the concept of superficies as a mode. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xvii) The narrator explains the common usage of the term 'vacuum' and cautions against misunderstanding it as absolute emptiness. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xix) The narrator presents the argument that the nature of body is extension and that rarefaction cannot involve a change in the quantity of matter. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xx) The narrator presents the argument against the existence of atoms. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xxi) The narrator presents the argument for the indefinite extension of the world. ### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xxii) The narrator presents the argument that the matter of the heavens and earth is the same, and that a plurality of worlds is impossible. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xxiii) The narrator presents the philosophical argument about the nature of matter and motion. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xxiv) Explains the concept of motion and its relativity. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/xxv) The narrator defines motion in precise philosophical terms. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/ii) The voice delivering the cautionary advice about human presumption regarding God's ends. ### [CLXXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/clxxxix) Explains the nature of perception and the mechanism of sensation. ### [CXC](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/cxc) The narrator describes the distinction of senses and the mechanism of passions and natural appetites. ### [Of the external senses; and first of touch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/cxci) The narrator explains the mechanism of touch and the origin of tactile sensations, pleasure, and pain. ### [Of Taste](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/cxcii) The narrator describes the mechanism of taste perception. ### [CXCIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/cxciv) The narrator describes the physiological process of hearing. ### [CXCV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/cxcv) The narrator explains the mechanism of sight and references Descartes' earlier works. ### [CXCVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/cxcvi) Presents the argument and the experimental example of the girl with the amputated arm. ### [CXCVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/cxcvii) The 'we' and 'our' used to describe the universal human mind. ### [CXCVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/cxcviii) The narrator presents the argument that sensory qualities are reducible to motion and figure. ### [CXCIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/cxcix) The narrator (Descartes) summarizes the completeness of his explanation of natural phenomena. ### [CCI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/cci) First-person voice ('I', 'me') used to express the philosophical position. ### [CCV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/ccv) The narrator presents the argument distinguishing moral certainty from absolute certainty. ### [CCVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/ccvi) The narrator presents the argument for absolute certainty and defends the conclusions of the treatise. ### [CCVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/ccvii) The speaker who submits his opinions to the church and reason. ### [Appendix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/chapters/appendix) First-person voice guiding the reader through the postulates and reasoning. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/characters/narrator - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philosophical_works_se/characters