René Descartes (1596–1650) was a French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist known as the "father of Modern Philosophy." Born in a Periodof scientific Revolution and religious Tension, his early Education at Jesuit College and Service in the Dutch States Army profoundly influenced his rationalist approach. "Discourse on Method" was published in 1637 in Leiden, amid the rise of empirical Science challenging traditional Scholasticism. Initially met with Skepticism and intrigue, it ignited debates among scholars and clergy. Over Time, its cogito, ergo sum ("I think, therefore I am") became a cornerstone of Western Thought. The Work inspired Enlightenment thinkers, influenced cognitive science, and unexpectedly resonated with Eastern philosophies, underscoring Reason's universal appeal across diverse intellectual landscapes.
Guiding Question
What if questioning the very nature of your existence is the first step to true knowledge?