René DescaRené Descartes (1596-1650)rtes (1596-1650)René DescaRené Descartes (1596-1650)rtes (1596-1650)

““Cogito Ergo Sum” (“I think; therefore I am”) Cogito Ergo Sum” (“I think; therefore I am”) ““Cogito Ergo Sum” (“I think; therefore I am”) Cogito Ergo Sum” (“I think; therefore I am”)

Early life Early life

• Descartes was born March 31, 1596 in La Haye, France. He died February 11, 1650.

• He was the youngest of three children. His mother died before he was one and his father sent him to boarding school (Jesuit College).

• Overall a good student but, most people thought he was always sick because he stayed in bed most of the time when he should have been in class.

EducationEducationEducationEducation

Entered Jesuit College, age 8, where he studied classics, logic, Entered Jesuit College, age 8, where he studied classics, logic,

science, and Aristotelian Philosophy. science, and Aristotelian Philosophy.

Left school in 1614 to study civil and cannon Law at Poitiers. Left school in 1614 to study civil and cannon Law at Poitiers.

Descartes earned his baccalaureate and license degrees in Law Descartes earned his baccalaureate and license degrees in Law

in 1616. in 1616.

He also enjoyed studying philosophy, theology, and medicine. He also enjoyed studying philosophy, theology, and medicine.

Religious Affiliation Religious Affiliation

• Descartes had a deep religious faith as a Catholic.

• He had a passion for seeking the truth which is why God is essential to his entire Philosophy.

• For only if God both exists and would not want us to be deceived by our experiences can we trust our senses.

Philosophies Philosophies Philosophies Philosophies

Descartes believed math and science explained everything that Descartes believed math and science explained everything that

happened in nature. happened in nature.

He did not believe in Aristotle’s logic or his way of thinking. He did not believe in Aristotle’s logic or his way of thinking.

Descartes saw the universe as a giant mathematically designed Descartes saw the universe as a giant mathematically designed

engine. engine.

He was known as one of the first thinkers to use reason to He was known as one of the first thinkers to use reason to

develop the natural sciences. develop the natural sciences.

He is believed to be the father of modern Philosophy. He is believed to be the father of modern Philosophy.

Descartes WorkDescartes WorkDescartes WorkDescartes Work

Descartes three most infamous works include: Descartes three most infamous works include:

Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting the Reason and Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting the Reason and

Seeking Truth in the SciencesSeeking Truth in the Sciences

Meditations on First PhilosophyMeditations on First Philosophy

Principles of Philosophy Principles of Philosophy

Other Works...Other Works...Other Works...Other Works...

La Dioptrique: work on optics La Dioptrique: work on optics

Les Météores: meteorologyLes Météores: meteorology

La Géométrie: most important work: theory of invariants, La Géométrie: most important work: theory of invariants,

algebra recognizes typical problems in geometry, natural algebra recognizes typical problems in geometry, natural

principles of division, and no problem can be solved without principles of division, and no problem can be solved without

geometry. geometry.

Quotes Quotes Quotes Quotes

““The greatest minds are capable of the greatest vices as well as The greatest minds are capable of the greatest vices as well as

of the greatest virtues.” of the greatest virtues.”

““Perfect numbers like perfect men are very rare.”Perfect numbers like perfect men are very rare.”

““If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at

least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things.” least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things.”

By: Julia SwiftBy: Julia Swift