Complete Works, Volume Three

of Sections, Parts, and Books

Response. 359
Counter-argument. original: "Instantia." A formal rebuttal in a scholastic debate. in the same place. original: "ibid."
Article 1. The difficulty, according to his custom, was disguised regarding the creation of a faculty subject to error. That was established as a principle which should be proved later: and it was assumed to be demonstrated, though it was not demonstrated. in the same place.
2. The consideration of ends teleology, or the study of purpose in nature is highly necessary in Physics; so that God may be recognized as both the Governor and Author of the Universe. 360
3. That not all of God's ends purposes are unknown to men; and this is evident from the ends of various parts of the human body. 361
4. That the proposed difficulties regarding the efficient cause of the heart valves are inexplicable; since the end, or use, seems most clearly perceived. in the same place.
5. It is false that if someone remained from the womb without any use of the senses, they would have the same (and even purer) ideas of things than one who has used the senses. 362
Doubt 2. Regarding the faculty of judgment subject to error granted to man by God, who could nevertheless have granted him one free from error. 363
Response. 364
Counter-argument. in the same place.
Article 1. That the difficulty had been avoided. The comparison of the World with a Republic, in which it is better that no citizen be evil, was appropriate; but not the comparison with a man, of whom no part is not an eye. Gassendi is critiquing Descartes' analogy that errors in individuals are necessary for the perfection of the whole universe. in the same place.
2. The difficulty was again disguised against the weakness of the reasoning by which the faculty of judgment in man is concluded to be perfect. 365
Doubt 3. Regarding the cause of error or falsehood: whether it arises because the will or the faculty of judgment extends more widely than the intellect. in the same place.
Response. 366
Counter-argument. 367
Article 1. For the sake of avoiding confusion, the intellect and will ought to be distinguished so that whatever pertains to knowledge and judgment belongs to the Intellect; whatever pertains to

desire and choice belongs to the Will. in the same place.
2. The progress of the Intellect from the first operation into the second, and from this into the third, and into a manifold state, without any interruption of the actions of the will. in the same place.
3. That every action of the will presupposes a judgment of the intellect regarding a thing to be sought or not sought; even when it commands the intellect itself to judge something. in the same place.
4. That the Will does not extend more widely than the Intellect (indeed, not even as widely) and whether the object might rightly be the love of one's own opinion. 368
5. That errors do not arise from the fact that the Will, or even Judgment, extends more widely than the Intellect or simple apprehension. 369
6. The indifference of the intellect seems to be the root of the indifference of the will, in which freedom resides; and the latter is determined by the former; and it is not so much liberty as "willingness" original: "libentiam." Gassendi distinguishes between a neutral freedom of choice and a natural inclination toward what is perceived as good. when the will adheres to the highest good clearly perceived. 370
7. To correct the Will, the judgment of the Intellect must first be corrected through a corrected apprehension of things: and the Will does not command the Intellect except with the Intellect itself leading the way. 371
8. To what extent falsehood is in things; since it is not properly found anywhere except in the intellect. 372
Doubt 4. Regarding the Method still desired, by which we may recognize that we perceive something so clearly and distinctly that no danger of error remains. in the same place.
Response. in the same place.
Counter-argument. in the same place.
Article 1. So that it could be known whether the promised Method had been delivered, the principal parts of the Meditations had to be weighed individually. in the same place.
2. A circular argument circulus vitiosus was committed by proving that God exists and is truthful because our knowledge of Him is clear and distinct; and that the knowledge of God is clear and distinct because God exists and is truthful. Finally, the desired Method is still desired. 373