신수사학의 관점에서 본 데카르트의 논증과 설득의 문제 - 제6성찰을 중심으로 -

Abstract

In these days, the philosophy of Descartes as being mythicized as a first signal of modern philosophy still remains in a state of interruption of interpretation. It means that there have not been efforts to strictly dissect Descartes' texts. It may come from fixed studies about notions such as subject, ego and cogito. When a reader presents a new interpretation of the text by a critical reading, the text will have fertile meanings, which can be shared with many people. A reader who accomplishes a writing about an interpretation of original text and a reinterpretation of it should concentrate to revive and modernize the dead letters of author's meaningful ideas for one's own self. This is the reason why I analyse the problem of Descartes' argumentation and persuasion in the Method of discourse and Meditations ― especially, in the sixth meditation ― on the view of new-rhetoric as a new criterion of truth and a method of research, and suggest a critical opinion about his theory. In this new-rhetorical view, Descartes' philosophy, especially the cogito argument is closed and self-centered. For Descartes as a speaker unilaterally stated his ideas to manifest his own conviction. But he neglected the rapport between readers and hearers. So, as G. Vigneaud pointed, Descartes failed to "suggest a controlled thought and a suitable expression to this thought." More than worse, Cogito ergo sum as the first principle of his philosophy implies a paradox that the principle must be explained by God as the superior criterion of truth. In fact, the way to reach the universal truth in philosophy is too steep. Maybe that is why many people suggest Hermes rather than Apollon ― especially, for M. Serres ― as a symbol of contemporary philosophy. Undoubtedly, of course, if we consider this concept as a prejudice, we should throw away. The important point is that truth is not simply the only one, but exists in multiplicity, diversity, complexity. In our universe, the truth is not a solo, but a ensemble. The truth is not a supposed and reconfirmed thing as Descartes said, but a newly expanded thing which is created by our efforts.