Descartes states that because we were all once children we needed instruction(pt. 2, pg 22), whereby we were taught differing 'truths' that do not always reconcile. He sees this as a downfall in their teachings because they do not offer coherency, but conflict. His solution is his method, whereby he can explore that which is around him and be "punished" by any error that results from that method (pt.1, pg 20). Perhaps being taught differing ideas and methods as children forces one to reconcile those ideas through self study. Even further, perhaps those conflicts are what spurred Descartes to attempt a new method. I posit that it is not the varied teachings that inhibit access to truth, but lack of mental dexterity applied to reconciling/exploring information in regards to truth. For instance, Descartes opened the Discourse asserting that it is not the 'goodness' of the mind, but the application of it that is of most import (pt.1, pg 16).