'The Standard Interpretation' of Descartes on material falsity states that
Descartes believed that materially false ideas (MFIs) lack 'objective reali
ty' (realitas objectiva). The argument for the Standard Interpretation depe
nds on a statement from the 'Third Meditation' that MFIs are caused by noth
ing. This statement, in conjunction with a causal principle introduced by D
escartes, seems to entail that MFIs lack objective reality. However, the St
andard Interpretation is incorrect. First, I argue that, despite initial ap
pearances, the manner in which Descartes understands the proposition that M
FIs are caused by nothing does not entail that they lack objective reality.
Secondly, I argue that Descartes is committed to the objective reality of
MFIs because of his quasi-scholastic explanation of MFIs.