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: iTeachMyKids : articles : Rene' Descartes (1596-1650) |
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Idea:
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"I think, therefore I am" |
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Immediate Impact:
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Ideas build upon one another. Rene's idea builds upon the idea that nothing is true or absolute except that "I doubt everything". The "I" replaces all absolutes - and anyone who builds upon this idea may insert any "I" they care to. Previous philosophers mostly delt with the two major forces in the universes: God and Nature. Rene introduces man into the equasion. |
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Scripture:
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Matthew 16:18 "And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." |
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Lasting Impact:
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"I" can replace God - In fact any man with sufficient power can. |
 The
Internet Encylopedia says : "The two most widely known of Descartes'
philosophical ideas are those of a method of hyperbolic doubt, and the argument
that, though he may doubt, he cannot doubt that he exists. The first of
these comprises a key aspect of Descartes' philosophical method. ... he
refused to accept the authority of previous philosophers - but he also refused
to accept the obviousness of his own senses. In the search for a foundation
for philosophy, whatever could be doubted must be rejected. He resolves
to trust only that which is clearly and distinctly seen to be beyond any
doubt. In this manner, Descartes peels away the layers of beliefs and opinions
that clouded his view of the truth. But, very little remains, only the simple
fact of doubting itself, and the inescapable inference that something exists
doubting, namely Descartes himself." |
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Rene'
Descartes (1596-1650)