Should we change our desires rather than the order of the world? [Descartes]
Listen and subscribe on your favorite audio platform
I’m Azilise Le Coret, I’m a journalist at Le Figaro and in this new episode of Le Moment Philo, produced by Sylvain Chatelain, we’re going to talk about Descartes and the need to align our desires with the order of the world.
“My third principle,” writes the philosopher, “has always been to try to conquer myself rather than fortune, and to change my desires rather than the order of the world; and in general, to learn myself to believe that there is nothing in our power but our thoughts, so that after we have done our best, touching things outside ourselves, whatever we fail to do is absolutely impossible in our eyes. »
Discourse on Method, Descartes
In this section A Discourse on MethodDescartes recognizes the gap that exists between our imagination / what we project onto the world / and reality.
The randomness and unpredictability of events that punctuate our lives limit everyone’s ability to achieve the object of their aspirations.
It is because of this disconnect between our desires and reality that most men strive for happiness without ever achieving it.
By making our satisfaction dependent on the order of the world, we make it uncertain, even implausible, and so we suffer from our sin.
Therefore, Descartes decides to redirect his desires to accessible objects. Thus, man is not completely powerless before the outside world…
We can interfere with the order of things as long as we accept the randomness to which our projects will be subject.
For example… You have planned a party outside this weekend. The red and white checkered tablecloth and wicker basket are ready. But hell. The weather doesn’t warn, it’s a flood. No problem, this time you’ll be nibbling on your snack on the living room rug, covered in a warm blanket in front of your favorite movie.
Returning to Stoic teaching, Descartes teaches us that we must “make virtue a necessity,” that is, transform a situation over which we find ourselves powerless to turn it to our advantage.
Because I do not control the unfolding of life events, be it death, old age, life accidents, unforeseen events, etc. I have the opportunity to exercise my virtue, to exert myself so as not to allow myself to be beaten. because of trials and uncertainties.
Since my desire, by definition, belongs to the realm of dependence on my self, I can put aside my vanity and be willing to give my will to the necessity of things.
” Who is the invincible man? “, Epictetus asked. “He whom nothing can hinder, nothing that is independent of himself.”
The Stoic withdraws from the fortunes of the world and remains the master of his emotions despite the pain. He is free inside and is able to stay calm.
It is in this way, Descartes believes, that we should all be able to be happy in both unhappiness and happiness.
Maybe easier said than done…
Source: Le Figaro
