Rene Descartes

 French Philosopher, mathematician [invented analytical geometry] and scientist

 Leader in the 17th century scientific revolution [foundation of this scientific revolution was
the belief that genuine knowledge needed to be based on independent rational inquiry and real-
world experimentation]
 Meditations on First Philosophy (1641) [in this major book of his, he was able to
analysed the established knowledge on time.]
 Founder of modern Philosophy [Brought an entirely new and thoroughly modern
perspective to philosophy, both in general and self.]
 He doesn’t recognize the fundamental questions of earlier philosophers about human
existence. [some fundamental questions are what is the nature of reality, what is the
ideal society, does God exist etc… Decartes focuses more on how we think and respond
to these questions. Because for him our thinking process is the most important on being
most informed and knowing the well-grounded beliefs about our self, our existence.]
 Nature of our reasoning process to understand our human existence [He said that if our
instrument is flawed, then it is likely that our conclusions will be flawed as well.]
 “For we shall not, e.g., turn out to be mathematicians though we know by heart all the
proofs others have elaborated, unless we have an intellectual talent that fits us to resolve
difficulties of any kind.” [A passage from his book, Discourse on Method. A proof that
we need to use our thinking skills in everything]
 Descartes is such an influential and enduring figure in philosophy [because he is willing
to test his own reasoning powers and compare it to others.]
 “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.”
 Cogito, ergo sum—“I think, therefore I am.” [the first principle of decartes theory of knowledge.
It is also the keystone of Descartes’s concept of self… no person will never think about himself,
human will always question their existence]
 self as a thinking entity and self as a physical body. [physical body is secondary to your personal
identity. One reason for this is that he believes you can conceive of yourself existing
independently of your body. Your soul and your body are independent of one another, and each
can exist and function without the other.]

Descartes confesses that he has come to the conclusion that virtually everything he has been taught
from authorities and other adults is questionable and likely false. His radical solution? To establish a
fresh start on gaining true, well-supported beliefs by simply erasing his endorsement of anything he has
previously been taught.
if you are not willing to question all that you have been asked to accept “on faith,” then you will never
have the opportunity to construct a rock-solid foundation for your beliefs about the world and your
personal philosophy of life.

having a self-identity and being self-conscious are mutually dependent on one another

physical body is secondary to your personal identity. One reason for this is that he believes you can
conceive of yourself existing independently of your body.

Thus Descartes ends up with Plato’s metaphysic, a dualistic view of reality, bifurcated into • a spiritual,
nonmaterial, immortal realm that includes conscious, thinking beings, and • a physical, material, finite
realm that includes human bodies and the rest of the physical universe.

Criticism
According to Rene Descartes’ Meditations of First Philosophy, he
stated the epistemological problems surrounding the scholastic
tradition. furthers his argument that human knowledge is relying
too much on traditional doctrines, which he said is based on
unproven presuppositions. He started by stating that in order for
us to seek for truth, it was necessary, at least once in the course
of our lives, to doubt, as far as possible, of all things. He also
stated that the course of one’s life, many prejudices have been
accepted as true, that in turn deviate us from knowing certain
truth. Questioning our minds, what if something we actually
believe is true is not actually true at all without a certain proof? In
short everything could be deceiving, we cannot really acquire
certainty when in fact we are all experiencing the same
stimulations whether we are asleep and dreaming, or awake.
Thank you for listening and remember this is just my criticism and
opinion that's all thank you.