Rene Descartes

1596 – 1650

Born in La Haye en Touraine, France

Was a French philosopher, scientist, and mathematician

Was one of key figures in Scientific Revolution

Developed rules for deductive reasoning

Discovered how to plot points on a Cartesian plane

Invented analytic geometry – made connections between geometry and algebra, which allowed for the solving of geometrical problems using algebraic equations.

Considered the father of modern philosophy

Discourse On Method – the method described by Descartes replaced the traditional techniques that came from Aristotle.  Taught to differentiate our perceptions and realities that cause them.

Affirmations

Endeavor always to conquer myself rather than fortune,
and change my desires rather than the order of the world

Rene Descartes

Accustom myself to the persuasion that,
except our own thoughts,
there is nothing absolutely in our power.

Rene Descartes

Because some men err in reasoning,
and fall into paralogisms,
even on the simplest matters of geometry,
I, convinced that I was as open to error as any other,
rejected as false all the reasonings I had hitherto taken

Rene Descartes

I think, therefore I am
COGITO ERGO SUM

Rene Descartes

Goal Achievement Steps

The first was never to accept anything for true which I did not clearly know to be such;
that is to say, carefully to avoid precipitancy and prejudice

Rene Descartes

The second, to divide each of the difficulties under examination into as many parts as possible, and as might be necessary for its adequate solution.

Rene Descartes

The third, to conduct my thoughts in such order that, by commencing with objects the simplest and easiest to know, I might ascend by little and little, and, as it were, step by step, to the knowledge of the more complex

Rene Descartes

And the last, in every case to make enumerations so complete and reviews so general, that I might be assured that nothing was omitted.

Rene Descartes