Meditations on First Philosophy by Rene Descartes
"Meditations on First Philosophy" is a philosophical treatise that introduces the concept of radical doubt as a foundational element of knowledge. The book is known for the famous philosophical statement, "I think, therefore I am," which the author uses to establish the existence of the self as a necessary truth. The author also presents arguments for the existence of a benevolent God and the immortality of the soul, while examining the differences between the mind and the body, the nature of reality, and the limits of human understanding.
The 627th greatest book of all time
Ranking Details:
Our ranking system awards points to books based on their appearance and position on curated lists. Here's how it works:
Unranked Lists: For lists without specific rankings, each book receives points equivalent to the list's weight. This approach recognizes the book's inclusion on prestigious lists.
Ranked Lists: Books on ranked lists receive points in two ways:
- Base Points: Initially, every book is awarded points equal to the list's weight, acknowledging its significance.
- Bonus Points: Additionally, books earn bonus points based on their ranking. The total bonus pool, equal to 100% of the list's weight, is distributed among the books, with higher-ranked books receiving more points.
Exponential Distribution: The distribution of bonus points follows an exponential model. This means the top-ranked book (#1) receives significantly more bonus points than those further down the list (e.g., #100). Our algorithm ensures that higher placements are rewarded more generously, reflecting the achievement of a top rank on any given list.
This scoring system ensures that each book's ranking reflects both its presence on multiple lists and its positions within those lists, providing a comprehensive measure of its acclaim and popularity.
Total Points: 570
Since this book was first published in 1641, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 570.0.
This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.
- score: 114 -- The 100 Greatest Non-Fiction Books (Weight: 114)
- score: 108 -- The Great Books Reader (Weight: 108)
- score: 102 -- Best Philosophy Books of All Time (Weight: 102)
- score: 90 -- 72 Philosophy Books Everyone Should Read (Weight: 90)
- score: 84 -- Inteliquest's World's 100 Greatest Books of All-Time (Weight: 84)
- score: 45 -- The Well-Educated Mind (Weight: 45)
- score: 27 -- The Twenty Greatest Philosophy Books (Book from 2006) (Weight: 27)