The Cartesian Circle

The Cartesian Circle is a problem in philosophy where Descartes argues that God's existence proves the reliability of clear and distinct perceptions, which in turn are used to prove God's existence. This creates a loop: to trust our perceptions, we rely on God's truth, but to prove God's existence, we depend on those perceptions. Essentially, it's like using a dependable circle—each part depends on the other, risking circular reasoning without independent support. This raises questions about whether Descartes' reasoning is logically sound or if it assumes what it needs to prove.