René Descartes Remembered

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“The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries.”

unnamedRené Descartes (1596 – 1650)
A French philosopher, mathematician, scientist and writer of the Age of Reason. He has been called the “Father of Modern Philosophy”, and much of subsequent Western philosophy can be seen as a response to his writings. He is responsible for one of the best-known quotations in philosophy:
“Cogito, ergo sum”

(“I think, therefore I am”).

Meditations on First Philosophy by Rene Descartes is widely considered to be one of the top philosophical books of all time. For many, Meditations on First Philosophy is required reading for various courses and curriculums. And for others who simply enjoy reading timeless pieces of classic philosophical literature, this gem by Rene Descartes is highly recommended.

“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.”

“It is not enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well.”

23 thoughts on “René Descartes Remembered”

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  10. Have you read, ‘Meditations on First Philosophy?’ Like many philosophy books, it is much easier to read some Professor who interprets it in the way they want, and then makes money form writing another book about it. Much like the bible. However, in some cases, the interpretation is incorrect. Original texts are usually huge expeditions into the deepest part of the mind, most commonly with the influence of drugs. Seriously.

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  14. I haven’t read his Meditations of First Philosophy, but I have researched a lot on him, especially when I was writing this blog post on reality. I love his approach of starting with disbelieving everything and then forming conclusions, though I do not agree with some of his concepts like the evil demon.

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  17. His influence cannot be understated. He certainly (not sure he would want me to use that word) has had a deep impact on the forming of the Western mind. That being said, he was one of the sloppiest philosophers to ever walk the earth and I wish he had never published! After Descartes, the West has never recovered certainty, and doubt continues its ugly reign of terror.
    Before Descartes, everyone thought, “the truth is out there, and I can know it.” After Descartes, the locus of truth moved inside and there was no comfort in the external world, and the only truth that is knowable comes from within.
    Thanks for the existential loneliness, Rene!

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