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René Descartes

1596–1650 · Early Modern (French)

The rationalist who rebuilt knowledge from the certainty of the thinking self.

Primary Source

Je pense, donc je suis

Original (French)

“I think, therefore I am. (Latin: Cogito, ergo sum.)”

Discourse on the Method, Part IV (1637); cf. Principles I.7

Biography

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Major Works

• Discourse on the Method
• Meditations on First Philosophy
• Principles of Philosophy

Key Concepts

• The cogito
• Methodic doubt
• Mind–body dualism
• Clear and distinct ideas

Influence & Modern Scholarship

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Connections

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