The works of Descartes permeates throughout much of society. The basic tenants of his work, in particular his 'Meditations', are a common topic of study for many university students. It is out of such an awareness that what I am about to write is grounded. From my time at university one of the many areas of knowledge which I left with was with regards to Descartes, and his argument relating to doubt.
As all Cartesian scholars of varying experience shall know is that Meditation 1 focuses on the nature of doubt. My focus though is on the very beginning where the reader finds Descartes is pondering on reality, and whether one can trust what they see and subsequently know. He (Descartes) is sitting in front of an open fire, considering his thoughts with a glass of wine. Yet for me I am not reflecting upon any doubt which may be directed towards the fire, nor even the paper upon which Descartes is writing on. Rather it is the wine which is being consumed by this consummate Frenchman.
Descartes concludes, as any person should know, that 'Cognito Ergo Sum', I think therefore I am. Our capacity to think, and through that enables us to understand our universe through doubt and self-awareness. However the wine which Descartes is enjoying reflects a rather pedantic perspective from myself. When ones ability to think is interfered with, then the doubt must surely be exacerbated.
As the ethanol enters your bloodstream and your brain becomes intoxicated, then doubt must surely become your enemy. When you are convinced into believing your senses when they are effected by the alcohol it becomes much more dangerous. Doubt becomes irrelevant when you cant tell the difference between doubt and false doubt. With a clear mind one can produce informed conclusions; however with intoxication there is every danger of foolishness. This is the fate of all those who consume sufficient alcohol to cloud both mind and doubt.
Descartes' actions are an example of doubt becoming contaminated by human weakness. Our love of pleasure damages out capacities. Such harm can cause the wise to drift into madness, and all doubts to become clouded. One must learn to control the desire for intoxication, or suffer as a result. The mind is only limited by itself and only itself. If we restrict or damage this capacity, we become both Descartes' enemy and inadvertent friend.
