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"Meditations on First Philosophy" by René Descartes is a seminal work in modern Western philosophy, composed of six meditations in which Descartes engages in a process of radical doubt to establish a foundation for certain knowledge. The work begins with Descartes doubting everything he believes to be true, including his senses, memories, and even the existence of an external world. Through this methodical doubt, he arrives at the famous conclusion, "Cogito, ergo sum" or "I think, therefore I am," asserting the certainty of his own existence as a thinking being.

Descartes then proceeds to establish the existence of God, arguing that the idea of an infinite and perfect being cannot be generated by a finite and imperfect mind and must, therefore, originate from a higher source. He further argues that God, being benevolent, guarantees the reliability of clear and distinct perceptions.

The final meditations reconcile the material and immaterial aspects of reality, laying the groundwork for Cartesian dualism. Descartes' "Meditations" significantly influenced Western philosophy by introducing foundational skepticism and establishing a method of systematic doubt as a means to attain certain and indubitable knowledge.

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The fool who persists in his folly will become wise.
-William Blake
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