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René Descartes

French philosopher and mathematician, 1596–1650. 1 explained quote.

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“I think, therefore I am.”
René Descartes · 1637
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“I think, therefore I am.”
René Descartes · Discourse on the Method, Part IV · 1637 · Philosopher

Descartes doubted everything he could, and found one thing he could not doubt: that he was doubting, and therefore thinking, and therefore existed.

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About René Descartes

René Descartes was a French philosopher, mathematician and scientist who spent much of his working life in the Dutch Republic. He invented the coordinate system still used in algebra and geometry, which is why it is called Cartesian.

His method of doubting everything until he reached something certain made him the founder of modern Western philosophy.

More lines by Descartes

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  • “For to be possessed of a vigorous mind is not enough; the prime requisite is rightly to apply it.”
    Discourse on the Method, Part I (English translation), 1637