René Descartes Books
René Descartes was the French philosopher and father of the skeptic tradition that broke away from earlier philosophy based on Aristotelian thought. His work is focused primarily on ontology and epistemology and was both admired and criticized in his day.
Translator Jonathan Bennett is a fellow of both the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the British Academy.
What's Meditations on First Philosophy about?
Meditations on First Philosophy (1641) is one of Descartes’s most influential works, known as the source of the classic quote: “I think, therefore I am” or “cogito ergo sum.” These blinks capture Descartes’ thoughts on how we know what we know, and his attempts to prove God’s existence along the way.
Who should read Meditations on First Philosophy?
- Students of philosophy
- People interested in philosophy and the foundations of Western thinking
- Religious people who are interested in another view of the existence of God
Discourse on Method
What's Discourse on Method about?
Discourse on the Method (1637) presents a new approach to acquiring knowledge based on reason, skepticism, and systematic doubt. It outlines a method for thinking clearly and logically, leading to the famous conclusion “I think, therefore I am.” It also explores the relationship between mind and body, the existence of God, and the foundations of science.
Who should read Discourse on Method?
- Philosophy students exploring foundational thought
- Analytical thinkers seeking clarity and logic
- Anyone interested in human reasoning