René Descartes
Philosopher and mathematician René Descartes is regarded as the father of modern philosophy for defining a starting point for existence, “I think; therefore I am.” · FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO DIED IN 1650 · FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO SERVED IN THE MILITARY · FAMOUS PEOPLE IN EDUCATION · FAMOUS JESUIT COLLEGE OF HENRI IV ALUMNI Show All Groups QUOTES “I think; therefore I am." ("Cogito ergo sum.")” —René Descartes Synopsis René Descartes was born on March 31, 1596, in La Haye en Touraine, France. He was extensively educated, first at a Jesuit college at age 8, then earning a law degree at 22, but an influential teacher set him on a course to apply mathematics and logic to understanding the natural world. This approach incorporated the contemplation of the nature of exis...