I’m currently reading Ten Books That Screwed Up the World and I have been reflecting on some of the key ideas from the book. The author is critical of Descartes and I want to dive into that critique.

In Ten Books That Screwed Up the World by Benjamin Wiker, the author critiques René Descartes for his role in laying the groundwork for modern rationalism and secularism, which Wiker sees as having led to negative consequences for Western thought. Descartes, known for his famous dictum “Cogito, ergo sum” (“I think, therefore I am”), is criticized for his radical doubt and the philosophical shift it represents.

Key Criticisms in Wiker’s Book

1. Radical Skepticism: Wiker argues that Descartes’ method of doubting everything until it could be logically proven undermined traditional views of knowledge, faith, and morality. This emphasis on human reason as the ultimate arbiter of truth, detached from external authorities or traditions, laid the groundwork for intellectual arrogance and relativism.
2. Detachment from Reality: Wiker critiques Descartes for prioritizing abstract thought over concrete reality. By placing the thinking self (the “I”) as the foundation of all knowledge, Descartes, according to Wiker, introduced a subjective framework that alienated humans from the world and encouraged a fragmented view of reality.
3. Secularization of Philosophy: Descartes is seen as initiating a move away from a theistic understanding of the world toward a mechanistic and secular worldview. Wiker suggests this shift contributed to the erosion of the moral and spiritual foundations that had historically underpinned Western civilization.
4. Influence on Modernity: Wiker links Descartes’ philosophy to later thinkers and ideologies that he believes have “screwed up” the world, such as materialism, atheism, and radical individualism. He portrays Descartes as an intellectual forefather of movements that reject transcendent truths in favor of subjective or purely scientific ones.

Broader Context

While Descartes is a pivotal figure in Western philosophy, Wiker’s critique reflects a broader skepticism of Enlightenment ideals and their consequences. His interpretation is controversial, as many scholars view Descartes as a revolutionary thinker who advanced human understanding and rational inquiry. Wiker’s analysis, however, frames Descartes’ legacy in a negative light, emphasizing the unintended social and philosophical ramifications of his ideas.