When the term modern philosophy is brought up, one would think of findings in the field from the 1900’s and onward. But upon looking into the subject one would find that modern philosophy starts a few hundred years back. In the 1600’s modern and western philosophy started taking root with the ideas of a great philosopher of the time, Rene Descartes. Often known as the father of modern philosophy, Descartes’, ideas and findings are greatly influential to many different fields of study today. On top of his philosophical works, Rene Descartes was also a mathematician and a writer. From Descartes’ life, works in mathematics, and his many philosophical ideas, Rene Descartes paved the way for modern philosophy, and can truly be seen as a genius
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In 1614, Descartes studied at the University of Poitiers for two years, and earned a Baccalaureat and Licence in law, this was greatly influence by what his father wanted for Descartes. Descartes also had dreams of being a military officer, and in 1618 he joined the Dutch Army, where he studied military engineering and advanced his knowledge in mathematics. In November of 1619, Descartes reportedly shut himself in a room with only an oven heater. During this time Descartes had three visions, which would change his thinking and bring about a new philosophy. When Descartes left the room he came up with ideas for analytical geometry and applying math itself to philosophy. Descartes concluded from these visions that the pursuit of science would prove to be, for him, the pursuit of true wisdom and part of his life’s work (Clark 2006). In the year 1620 Rene Descartes left the army, and visited many countries before settling in Paris, France for a few years, until returning to the Dutch Republic in 1628. Descartes enrolled at the Leiden University to study mathematics, and later started teaching at the Utrecht …show more content…
Descartes decided to use a method now know today as methodological skepticism, in which Descartes removes any ideas that could be doubted at all. After basically sorting through all Descartes knows and trying to bring back ideas that can be known as truth, Descartes comes to a wall. This wall is that only one thing can be known for certain, that thought exists. Since thought exists, he exists. Which leads Descartes to his famous phrase cogito ergo sum, or more commonly known “I think, therefore I am”. Essentially this is the only truth that can be found when doubting anything. In this doubting one comes to the realization that everything can be doubted, but the doubter, which means the doubter does in fact exist (Carvalho 2012). Descartes knows he exists, but still has a question of his form. Descartes has already thrown out his senses, because he knows that they can be doubted and incorrect. Descartes realizes that his purpose is to think, and this comes from his essence. Descartes (1644) describes thought as “what happens in me such that I am immediately conscious of it, insofar as I am conscious of it, thinking is thus every activity of a person of which the person is immediately conscious” (Descartes 1644). This argument also leads way into Descartes ideas of dreams versus reality. Descartes believes since the senses of the world can lead one astray,
In 1614, Descartes studied at the University of Poitiers for two years, and earned a Baccalaureat and Licence in law, this was greatly influence by what his father wanted for Descartes. Descartes also had dreams of being a military officer, and in 1618 he joined the Dutch Army, where he studied military engineering and advanced his knowledge in mathematics. In November of 1619, Descartes reportedly shut himself in a room with only an oven heater. During this time Descartes had three visions, which would change his thinking and bring about a new philosophy. When Descartes left the room he came up with ideas for analytical geometry and applying math itself to philosophy. Descartes concluded from these visions that the pursuit of science would prove to be, for him, the pursuit of true wisdom and part of his life’s work (Clark 2006). In the year 1620 Rene Descartes left the army, and visited many countries before settling in Paris, France for a few years, until returning to the Dutch Republic in 1628. Descartes enrolled at the Leiden University to study mathematics, and later started teaching at the Utrecht …show more content…
Descartes decided to use a method now know today as methodological skepticism, in which Descartes removes any ideas that could be doubted at all. After basically sorting through all Descartes knows and trying to bring back ideas that can be known as truth, Descartes comes to a wall. This wall is that only one thing can be known for certain, that thought exists. Since thought exists, he exists. Which leads Descartes to his famous phrase cogito ergo sum, or more commonly known “I think, therefore I am”. Essentially this is the only truth that can be found when doubting anything. In this doubting one comes to the realization that everything can be doubted, but the doubter, which means the doubter does in fact exist (Carvalho 2012). Descartes knows he exists, but still has a question of his form. Descartes has already thrown out his senses, because he knows that they can be doubted and incorrect. Descartes realizes that his purpose is to think, and this comes from his essence. Descartes (1644) describes thought as “what happens in me such that I am immediately conscious of it, insofar as I am conscious of it, thinking is thus every activity of a person of which the person is immediately conscious” (Descartes 1644). This argument also leads way into Descartes ideas of dreams versus reality. Descartes believes since the senses of the world can lead one astray,