Rene Descartes French Mathematician and Philosopher Essay

Rene Descartes: An Author Study Rene Descartes was a 17th Century mathematician and French Philosopher whose lifes work focused on providing a new prospective on the human perception of reality. The definition of this reality is seen as Descartes greatest life goal. Coined as the Father of Modern Philosophy, (Cunningham Reich, 2010, p. 385), Descartes laid the groundwork the philosophy and reality as we perceive it today. Descartes autobiography, Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting the Reason and Seeking Truth in the Sciences (Descartes, 2004) shares with the reader a glimpse into the mind of a brilliant, yet frail, man who provided an in depth explanation on the perception of human existence and the reality we live in†¦show more content†¦The act of doubt that one was thinking, proved humans are a thinking being (Cunningham Reich, 2010, p.395). Descartes argued that human perception may be inaccurate, so this cannot be a message for determining what reality is. Descartes also proved the soul separate from the body. His doubt led to believing in something greater than himself. Cunningham Reich (2010) note that Descartes main accomplished was by way of refusing to believe anything that could not be decisively proved to be true (p.385). Descartes never married but had one child who died from fever at age 5. He spent his later life in the Netherlands and then Sweden, where he died from complications of pneumonia at age fifty three in 1650 (â€Å"Renà © Descartes,†2014). Summary: Discourse on Method Part IV The previous works in mathematics and science along with philosophy of reason leads Rene Descartes to the process of self-doubt. This doubt lead to the conclusion, as outlined in part IV of Discourse on Method, of the crux of Descartes fresh perspective on philosophy of reason was found within his own imperfection is a human. The questions relating to self-doubt and inspection of one’s reality led Descartes to develop the framework of modern philosophy. This infamous historical documentation of Descartes’ thinking and philosophical findings in the 17th century are still influencing our world today (Cunningham Reich, 2010). According toShow MoreRelatedEssay about Rene Descartes Faith and Reason1292 Words   |  6 PagesRene Descartes Faith and Reason The sixteenth and seventeenth centuries witnessed a colossal transition in the scientific view of the universe. During this period a profound rethinking of scientific theory as well as moral and religious matters took place. Traditional ideas were reconsidered by religious thinkers. Philosophers began applying rational scientific thought to problems that they considered. The main concept of the Scientific Revolution was to question everything. 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