Born: 31 March 1596
Died: 11 February 1650
A French Philosopher and Mathematician, Descartes is regarded as the "founder" of the modern age of philosophy because he began his works practically from the scratch. He did not want to base his studies on any of the traditional or prevailing systems of thinking. Throughout the 17th and 18th Centuries, Descartes’ philosophical ghost influenced the thinking pattern of many; Locke, Hume, Leibniz and even Kant felt compelled to philosophical entanglement with this intellectual giant.
The fundamental aim of Descartes was to attain philosophical truth by the use of reason. By philosophy, he meant the study of wisdom. How do you know that you are existing and not dreaming that you are existing? Descartes would say, "I think, therefore I am". In the very act of doubting, one’s existence is made obvious.
Are the ideas in yourself and the real things outside of yourself complementary? ‘The problem of Bridge’ was his answer to this puzzle. According to this theory if our internal ideas assent to some external realities, it cannot be false.
He is also famous for having made an important connection between geometry and algebra, which allowed for the solving of geometrical problems by way of algebraic equations.
Descartes’ famous works include: Discourse on Method (1637), The Principles of Philosophy (1644), Passions of the Soul (1649).
