Question

Compare and contrast the views of God and morality in Descartes’ Discourse on Method and Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus.

Answer 1

Hi there!

The vision of the morality that can be found in Marlow’s Doctor Faustus is the idea of sin that Christianity defines as acts contrary to God’s will. By making a pact with Lucifer, Faust commits what we could consider the final sin. Besides disobeying God, he renounces his obedience, choosing to swear allegiance to the devil. However, in a Christian framework, Jesus Christ, the son of God, who, according to Christian belief, died on the cross for the sins of humanity, forgives everything.

In the "Discourse on Method", Descartes does not seek to teach people about sin and its consequences. Instead, he addresses how one can know the truth through science and the ability to think for oneself, including our five senses.

While Marlow's work deals with Faust's imperfections and God's judgment on those faults, Descartes simply recognizes that God exists, because of his own imperfections.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

In Marlow's Doctor Faustus view of morality, first, there is the idea of sin, which Christianity defines as acts contrary to the will of God. In making a pact with Lucifer, Faustus commits what is in a sense the ultimate sin: not only does he disobey God, but he consciously and even eagerly renounces obedience to him, choosing instead to swear allegiance to the devil. In a Christian framework, however, even the worst deed can be forgiven through the redemptive power of Jesus Christ, God’s son, who, according to Christian belief, died on the cross for humankind’s sins.