René Descartes
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René Descartes | |
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| Born | 31 March 1596 |
| Died | 11 February 1650 |
| Nationality | French |
| Occupation | Philosopher; mathematician; scientist |
| Known for | Cartesian philosophy; rationalism; mind–body dualism |
| Notable work | Discourse on the Method; Meditations on First Philosophy; Principles of Philosophy |
René Descartes (1596–1650) was a French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist whose work laid important foundations for modern philosophy and scientific thought. He is widely associated with the development of rationalism and with efforts to establish secure foundations for knowledge.
Descartes sought to apply systematic doubt and methodical reasoning to philosophy, mathematics, and the natural sciences.
Early life and education
René Descartes was born in La Haye en Touraine, France. He was educated at a Jesuit college, where he received training in classical studies, mathematics, and philosophy.
After completing his formal education, Descartes traveled extensively and pursued independent study.
Method and doubt
Descartes is known for introducing methodological skepticism as a philosophical approach. He proposed that knowledge should be built only on propositions that cannot be doubted.
This approach led to his famous formulation asserting the certainty of the thinking self.
Mind and body
Descartes argued that mind and body are distinct substances with different properties. According to this view, the mind is characterized by thought, while the body is characterized by physical extension.
This dualistic framework influenced later debates in philosophy, psychology, and the philosophy of mind.
Mathematics and science
In mathematics, Descartes made significant contributions by developing analytic geometry, which linked algebra and geometry. This work provided new tools for scientific analysis.
He also wrote on physics, optics, and physiology, contributing to early modern scientific inquiry.
Later life
Descartes spent his later years in various European countries. He eventually accepted an invitation to work in Sweden, where he continued philosophical and scientific study.
He died in 1650.
Legacy
René Descartes is often regarded as a central figure in the transition from medieval to modern philosophy. His emphasis on reason, method, and systematic inquiry influenced subsequent developments in philosophy and science.
His work remains a reference point in discussions of epistemology, metaphysics, and the foundations of knowledge.