René Descartes: Rationalism and Philosophy

Introduction

• 17th-century French philosopher.
• Famous for 'Cogito, ergo sum' ('I think therefore I am').
• Known for his fierce rationalism and reliance on human logic over divine justification.

Key Philosophical Contributions

Rationalism

• Trusted in human logic and introspection.
• Believed in solving problems through sound argument and clear thought.
• Proposed 'method of doubts' to divide complex problems into smaller, manageable parts.

Method of Doubts

• Compared to sorting good apples from bad ones.
• Emphasized breaking down large, abstract questions.

Discourse on the Method (1637)

• Advocate for grounding ideas in individual experience and reason over tradition.
• Described personal journey to knowledge through direct experience and reflection.

Life in the Dutch Republic

• Spent much of his life away from France due to his preference for free-thinking.
• Moved frequently to avoid political scrutiny.

Key Philosophical Ideas

'Cogito, ergo sum'

• "I think, therefore I am" as a proof of existence.
• Highlighted human senses as unreliable.
• Focused on self-awareness as proof of being.

Personal Approach

• Valued solitary thought and introspection over collective intellectual endeavors.
• Criticized reliance on traditional academic approaches.

Passions of the Soul

Analytical Approach to Emotions

• Written at the request of Princess Elizabeth of Bohemia.
• Provided a detailed taxonomy of human passions.
• Identified six fundamental passions: wonder, love, hatred, desire, joy, and sadness.

Influence and Teachings

• Addressed the discipline of virtue and controlling passions.
• Believed in understanding passions to achieve psychological improvement.
• Promoted the idea of mastering passions through discipline.

Later Life and Death

• Attracted notable admirers, including Queen Christina of Sweden.
• Moved to Sweden to tutor her, but died shortly after due to harsh conditions.

Legacy

• 'I think therefore I am' captures Descartes' contribution to philosophy.
• Emphasized rational, independent thinking free from tradition and prejudice.