Rene Descartes
Rene Descartes
René Descarteswas a French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist. Dubbed the father of modern western philosophy, much of subsequent Western philosophy is a response to his writings, which are studied closely to this day. He spent about 20 years of his life in the Dutch Republic...
ProfessionPhilosopher
Date of Birth31 March 1596
CityIndre-et-Loire, France
Rene Descartes quotes about
powerful knowledge math
Mathematics is a more powerful instrument of knowledge than any other that has been bequeathed to us by human agency.
imagination reason
Reason is nothing without imagination.
philosophy thinking names
In philosophy, when we make use of false principles, we depart the farther from the knowledge of truth and wisdom exactly in proportion to the care with which we cultivate them, and apply ourselves to the deduction of diverse consequences from them, thinking that we are philosophizing well, while we are only departing the farther from the truth; from which it must be inferred that they who have learned the least of all that has been hitherto distinguished by the name of philosophy are the most fitted for the apprehension of truth.
two confusion experience
Here I beg you to observe in passing that the scruples that prevented ancient writers from using arithmetical terms in geometry, and which can only be a consequence of their inability to perceive clearly the relation between these two subjects, introduced much obscurity and confusion into their explanations.
philosophical secure
The only secure knowledge is that I exist.
eye attempting
To live without philosophizing is in truth the same as keeping the eyes closed without attempting to open them.
judgement may judgment
If ... it is not in my power to arrive at the knowledge of any truth, I may at least do what is in my power, namely, suspend judgement ...
math two understanding
The two operations of our understanding, intuition and deduction, on which alone we have said we must rely in the acquisition of knowledge.
illumination light soul
Intuitive knowledge is an illumination of the soul, whereby it beholds in the light of God those things which it pleases Him to reveal to us by a direct impression of divine clearness.
perseverance mistake women
You just keep pushing. You just keep pushing. I made every mistake that could be made. But I just kept pushing.
math mathematics mathematical
With me, everything turns into mathematics.
law states
A state is better governed which has few laws, and those laws strictly observed.
math men numbers
Perfect numbers like perfect men are very rare.
errors mind weak
I am indeed amazed when I consider how weak my mind is and how prone to error.