René Descartes Argument Analysis

I will attempt to explain an argument by René Descartes, offer what I consider to be the most significant objection to the argument, and contemplate how Descartes would reply to that objection.
We often assume that philosophy should provide truths obvious to all, instead of insights that border upon absurdity to most. But in his college days, Descartes “discovered that nothing can be imagined which is too strange or incredible to have been said by some philosopher” (195). Descartes advances his argument by showing that just because someone holds a view which we consider irrational or preposterous, does not mean they are uncivilized or uneducated (195). On the contrary, many of those who hold seemingly irrational opinions, used reason to the same degree as (or even more than) we have, and therefore deserve respect. In the same manner, the claims of philosophy that
He acknowledges that one must proceed slowly; therefore, no opinions should be rejected until the method of navigation is practiced (195). This method gives the guide a starting place by showing that one should begin with the things that are “the simplest and most easily known” (196). The method also forces the self-guided person to mark the steps they took thoroughly (196). Additionally, when they reach what they believe to be the true conclusion, they must review their work to ensure that a misstep was not taken anywhere along the path (196). Moreover, nothing in the method prevents people from looking to the work done by past generations. It may be implied that one cannot accept their work without doubt until it has been weighed against alternatives, reviewed, and double checked thoroughly. Descartes would consider his method of navigating truth and falsehood as enough to ensure that one does not find themselves adrift or living in falsehood, provided that they utilize the method