Interview Between Hume, Descartes, and Elisabeth

Pursuit of Wisdom

Think Again

Tommy Herling

December 1st, 2014

After studying the issues of Rene Descartes, many have come to my concern for further inquiry. One of the most influential topics, this great French philosopher discussed, was the discussion of God. Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia actually wrote many correspondences back and forth with Descartes about God as well, but along with many other topics. Along with Descartes and Elisabeth, David Hume had his opinion of the existence of God as well. Hume was a Scottish Philosopher in the 18th century who was an empiricist and a sceptic, rather than Descartes and Elisabeth's origin of philosophical theorems. As I question some of the greatest minds, I'm hoping to get into a debate between all three about major discussions of theirs. Princess Elisabeth and Rene Descartes have done plenty of this in the 17th century but never before has there been an Empiricist like David Hume thrown into the mix. I started with the existence of God, but rolled right into the ideas free-will, and finally happiness and virtue.

Tommy Herling: First and foremost, I just want to welcome all three of you to this once in a lifetime experience, and also thank you for being a part of this. I believe to start at the beginning, we need to discuss the existence of God, since he is assumed to be Our Creator. Let's begin with you, Sir David Hume, what is your thought on the existence of God?

David Hume: God does not merely exist based on facts, because there is none. He is simply a thought.

Tommy: Why is he just a thought? Why can't he be an icon in history like yourself?

Hume: We have no good reason to believe much of what we believe about the world, but human nature helps us function in all the ways that reason cannot. We cannot prove that there is a world external to our senses, but it seems to be a relatively safe assumption by which to live, rather than trying to justify our beliefs or identify the truth. We cannot make assumptions on what we do not know for sure. So I can merely say that this question is irrelevant and meaningless.

Tommy: Wow, those are some strong opinions. But outside of empiricism, what do you personally think? Is there a higher power than you?

Hume: I cannot take us beyond the confines of our own, natural, reason. But I am sure that our father of modern philosophy, Rene Descartes, can enlighten us with some of his certain truths. About 70 years before my time he used his metaphysical thoughts to look beyond human facts.

Tommy: Well, thank you for making my job easier Mr. Hume. And a wonderful introduction to you, wouldn't you say Mr. Descartes?

Rene Descartes: Yes, yes it was. I'm a bit shocked. I mean, after all, Mr. Hume, is found to be quite stubborn when he discussed his Empirical views.

Princess Elisabeth: Not exactly the person who should be calling others, stubborn with their views, are we Rene?

Rene: Well, after numerous correspondences with topics like this, I guess you are entitled to your opinion of me Princess. Outside of personal feelings, I believe that the thought of God alone is enough evidence that God exists.

Tommy: But some will say that humans have many, thoughts, does this mean that the boogeyman actually exists?

Descartes: Haha, that's non-sense young man. You have a lot to learn yet. My point is that people think of God as this perfect being, and we are imperfect people. There is no way an imperfect person can come up with that thought of a perfect being themselves. Or who exactly is a perfect being.

Tommy: So you're saying that, since we are imperfect,

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