René Descartes (1596–1650) was a French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist, often dubbed the "father of Modern Philosophy." His seminal works, including "Meditations on First philosophy" and "Discourse on the Method," laid the foundational principles of Cartesian Dualism and Skepticism. Descartes' statement "Cogito, ergo sum" ("I Think, therefore I am") became a central ‣ in Western philosophical Thought. His contributions to Mathematics, especially the Cartesian coordinate system, significantly advanced the field and bridged the gap between Algebra and Geometry.
Anecdotes
- Once had a series of visions that inspired his philosophical Work while stationed in an oven-heated room in Germany.
- Once served as a military engineer under a Bavarian duke, integrating his scientific interests with practical applications on the battlefield.
- Once dreamed of a tree with mathematical fruit, inspiring his quest for a new Scientific method based on Reason and Observation.
Magnitudes
- Question everything, even your own assumptions.
- Embrace solitude to cultivate deep, original thought.
- Question the certainty of all your beliefs.
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