Rene Descartes (1 янв 1596 г. – 1 янв 1660 г.)

Описание:

Like Bacon, Descartes described and advocated for improved scientific methods based on empirical observation and mathematical reasoning.

Descartes saw there was a perfect correspondence between geometry and algebra and that geometrical spatial figures could be expressed as algebraic equations and vice versa. He discovered analytic geometry.

Descartes said if it cannot be disproven, it must be true. He used mathematics to elaborate a new vision of the cosmos, investigated the basic nature of matter, said all occurrences in nature could be analyzed as matter in motion, and claimed “quality of motion” in the universe was constant. His view was dependent on the idea that space was identical to matter and empty space was impossible (proved wrong). He later decided it was necessary to doubt everything that could be reasonably doubted. He used deductive reasoning from self-evident truths (“first principles”). Reasoning reduced substances to “matter” and “mind”. He believed God endowed man with reason for a purpose and that rational speculation could provide a path to the truths of creation, Cartesian dualism. He was most influential in France and Netherlands.

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