Exploring Descartes' Minimalist View of Human Flourishing

This chapter delves into Descartes' perspective on the human person, emphasizing doubt as the only certainty in human agency and leading to a minimalist view of human flourishing intertwined with skepticism towards sensory and interpersonal experiences. It contrasts Descartes' approach with Plato's emphasis on love as a fundamental concern for philosophy and theology, highlighting the impact of Cartesian doubt on human interaction and the concept of love. The discussion also explores the importance of understanding personhood and sexuality for developing a substantive theological ethics, emphasizing the distinction between love and desire in defining the human person.