Will, Method, Power

Descartes' establishment of a foundation of Knowledge is preceded by his adoption of a method that empowers him to effect that establishment. Like, any method, his supplies the raw energy of Will with determinacy, thereby facilitating concrete performance. In other words, the fundamental principle of his doctrine is 'I can, therefore I am', from which he abstracts his more famous thesis. His empowerment is the real inception of Modern Philosophy--a liberation from Medieval dogmatism, even if not necessarily from the theological substance of that dogma. But, it is not Doubt per se that is the source of that liberation--that freedom is already accomplished by his adoption of and commitment to his own method.