Discourse on Method (Barnes & Noble Library of Essential Reading): And Meditations on the First Philosophy

by Rene Descartes, John Veitch (Translator), E. Nicole Meyer (Introduction)

Overview

The fundamental proposition “Cogito ergo sum—I think, therefore I am” remains the most-cited phrase of the well-known French philosopher René Descartes. While Descartes is recognized as the foremost philosopher of his age, he was greatly respected for his work in the areas of science, mathematics, and literature as well. His writings greatly influenced philosophers throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries (e.g., Spinoza, Leibniz, Malbranche, Locke). Later philosophers such as Hegel and Sartre also acknowledged his influence on their work as did Claude Bernard. In addition, his emphasis on methodology with its accompanying attempt to raise the standard of philosophical argumentation extended from his fascination for mathematics as a model of clear and certain knowledge, which progresses step by step from one irrefutable conclusion to another.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781411428393
Publisher:	Barnes & Noble
Publication date:	09/01/2009
Series:	Barnes & Noble Library of Essential Reading
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	176
File size:	587 KB

About the Author

René Descartes was born in La Haye, known today as La Haye-Descartes in 1596. After studying classical literature, history, rhetoric, and philosophy at the collège des Jésuites de la Flèche, he obtained his law degree from the University of Poitiers. In 1618, he enrolled in the Dutch army commanded by the prince Maurice of Nassau. Upon invitation by Queen Christina of Sweden, Descartes moved to Sweden in 1649 in order to tutor her in philosophy. Shortly thereafter he became ill with pneumonia and died in early 1650.