The criterion and rule of the true is to have made it…
“The criterion and rule of the true is to have made it. Accordingly, our clear and distinct idea of the mind cannot be a criterion of the mind itself, still less of other truths. For while the mind perceives itself, it does not make itself.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The mind cannot validate itself; truth requires external criteria beyond self‑perception.
In simple terms: Self‑knowledge isn’t enough to prove truth.
Key Takeaway
Seek external standards for truth.
Themes
epistemology
self‑knowledge
philosophy
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- personal reflection
- scientific method
Key Concepts
Cartesian doubt
criterion of truth
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you determine if a belief is truly justified?
- What external standards guide your judgments?
A Different Perspective
Self‑assessment may be biased and insufficient.