Descartes' Methodical Doubt

Core Philosophy

"If there is any reason to doubt it, treat it as false — until you find what cannot be doubted at all." — Descartes

Methodical doubt is systematic elimination. You do not question in order to learn (Socratic) or decompose in order to rebuild (First Principles). You doubt in order to destroy — to strip away every layer of uncertainty until you reach bedrock: the thing that survives maximum skepticism. Only then do you rebuild, knowing your foundation is indubitable.

Unlike Socratic questioning (dialogue-driven, challenges thinking through questions) and First Principles (decomposes to build up), Methodical Doubt is about systematic ELIMINATION — stripping away layers of uncertainty.

When to Use