René Descartes Flashcards
When and where was René Descartes born?
March 31, 1596, in La Haye en Touraine, France.
What famous phrase is René Descartes known for?
Cogito, ergo sum (I think, therefore I am).
Which educational institution did René Descartes attend in his early life?
La Flèche, a Jesuit college.
Fill in the blank: Descartes is often referred to as the ‘Father of ________.’
Modern Philosophy.
What mathematical system did Descartes develop?
The Cartesian coordinate system.
What is René Descartes’ most famous philosophical work?
Meditations on First Philosophy.
How did René Descartes contribute to the Scientific Revolution?
By promoting a mechanistic view of the universe and developing deductive reasoning.
Fill in the blank: The Cartesian coordinate system is the foundation of modern ________ geometry.
Analytical.
Why did Descartes move to the Netherlands?
To avoid censorship and political unrest in France.
What was the time period during which Descartes lived, and what major event occurred in Europe during his life?
The early 17th century, during the Thirty Years’ War.
Which philosophical method did Descartes use to arrive at ‘Cogito, ergo sum’?
Radical doubt (method of skepticism).
How did Descartes’ philosophical ideas challenge established traditions?
He challenged the Aristotelian and Scholastic traditions by emphasizing reason and doubt.
Which fields did Descartes’ work influence?
Philosophy, mathematics, and science.
What was one of Descartes’ key contributions to mathematics?
Linking algebra and geometry through the Cartesian coordinate system.
How did Descartes view the human body in his scientific work?
As a machine, part of his mechanistic view of nature.
