Rene Descartes

While the scientific revolution brought many integral philosophical thinkers to the forefront, few made the impact than Rene Descartes. Descartes metaphysical, mathematical, and theological contributions can not only be seen as some of the contributing influences to modern societies aiding future discovery in other various sciences but also as setting the stage for the coming humanist movement, putting an increased emphasis on the individual. Descartes was one of the earliest scholars to move away from the writings of the classics, earning him the title of the father of modern philosophy.
While growing in a Bourgeois family in La Haya, France, Descartes became educated in liberal arts and many of the metaphysical beliefs of classical philosophers. Descartes first true contribution came in collaboration with Isaac Beeckman who partook in what became known as mathematical physics. It was in these discussions of atoms and various other molecules that Descartes had conveyed various concepts of analytical geometry in which he believed would become an alternative to compass and ruler mathematics, yet as mathematics had become significantly more intricate this system became better known as Cartesian Coordinates in honor of Descartes.
The development of this mathematical system would lay the foundations for Descartes other philosophical discoveries in which his most significant contributions to the modern world would be made. In the year 1619, Descartes left his mentor Beeckman and joined the Emperor for the Holy Roman Empire Ferdinand V. During his time in the army Descartes had three distinct dreams in which he believed gave him a path to follow later on in life. The basis of these dreams was truly the break between the classics th...

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...obtain real knowledge Rene Descartes creates what can be considered the most historically significant documents of modern society in “ The Discourse of the Method” and the “Principles of Philosophy” the first major works to challenge the Catholic Church and the Classics.

Works Cited

Broadie, Frederick. An Approach to Descartes' 'Meditations' London: Athlone P., 1970.
Cahn, Steven M. Exploring Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000.
Descartes, René, and Anthony Kenny. Descartes: Philosophical Letters. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1970.
Maritain, Jacques. Three Reformers. London: Sheed and Ward, 1950.
Pessin, Andrew. Uncommon Sense: The Strangest Ideas from the Smartest Philosophers. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2012.
Watson, Richard A. Cogito Ergo Sum: The Life of René Descartes. Boston: David R. Godine, 2002.