1. René Descartes (1596-1650) The Father of Modern Philosophy

2. Descartes (Day Cart) Born in France Studies law, but doesn’t practice Becomes a mercenary (soldier for hire) –Wants to see the world Born in France Studies law, but doesn’t practice Becomes a mercenary (soldier for hire) –Wants to see the world

3. I entirely abandoned the study of letters. Resolving to seek no knowledge other than that of which could be found in myself or else in the great book of the world, I spent the rest of my youth traveling, visiting courts and armies, mixing with people of diverse temperaments and ranks, gathering various experiences, testing myself in the situations which fortune offered me, and at all times reflecting upon whatever came my way so as to derive some profit from it. --Descartes I entirely abandoned the study of letters. Resolving to seek no knowledge other than that of which could be found in myself or else in the great book of the world, I spent the rest of my youth traveling, visiting courts and armies, mixing with people of diverse temperaments and ranks, gathering various experiences, testing myself in the situations which fortune offered me, and at all times reflecting upon whatever came my way so as to derive some profit from it. --Descartes

4. Science and Math (1620-1630) Remains Catholic, but embraces science and reason/rejects a grand design God created the universe, but wants us to use reason, logic, and science Works to fuse geometry and algebra –Followed Galileo –Didn’t publish many works (fear of punishment) Remains Catholic, but embraces science and reason/rejects a grand design God created the universe, but wants us to use reason, logic, and science Works to fuse geometry and algebra –Followed Galileo –Didn’t publish many works (fear of punishment)

5. Holland (1628-1649)

6. Discourse on the Method (1637)

7. Question everything you’ve learned Get rid of preconceived notions Accept only that which you learn for yourself. Think for yourself! The only truth is that we are thinking beings Question everything you’ve learned Get rid of preconceived notions Accept only that which you learn for yourself. Think for yourself! The only truth is that we are thinking beings

8. I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am --Descartes Dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum

12. Meditations on First Philosophy (1641) Challenges all his beliefs States that God exists –Something cannot come from nothing Argues for dualism in mind and body –Mind and body are totally separate –Body may not exist, but the mind does! Challenges all his beliefs States that God exists –Something cannot come from nothing Argues for dualism in mind and body –Mind and body are totally separate –Body may not exist, but the mind does!