Abstract

Arnauld charged descartes with circularity in his theological proof. I argue that descartes's system is circular. Then I discuss how descartes responds to this problem. He develops distinctions which only seem to allay the circularity charge. Ironically, It is descartes himself, By means of his insistence on the idea-Thing distinction and attendant doubts, And his insistence on 'doubting the indubitable', Who highlights the chronic difficulties of the theological proofs