The Method of Doubt between Descartes and Taha Hussein, a Comparative Study

The philosophy of doubt is a controversial subject tackled by many Arab and foreign researchers of different intellectual, religious, political affiliations and doctrines. In this paper we will try to discuss this topic by answering the question: What are the similarities and differences between Descartes doubt and Taha Hussein? The paper is divided into two parts. In the first part, it discusses the philosophy of doubt at Descartes and in the second part it discusses the philosophy of doubt at Taha Hussein, particularly his doubt about pre-Islamic literature and poetry, which he considered mostly suspicious. With regard to Descartes part, the paper analyzes Descartes' uses of doubt as a principle of life and thought that leads to truth. As for the second part, the paper tracks personalities, and events that Taha Hussein doubted, and what led to this suspicion. The paper concluded that they both agreed to never doubt matters related to God and existence. Both of them used doubt to reach the absolute truth. As for the differences between both writers, Descartes discussed doubt as an ideology and philosophy, while Hussein used doubt to refute and clarify the ancient Arabic literature and its history.