ScienceEurope
Descartes
He began by doubting absolutely everything
See it on the timeline →In depth
He also gave mathematics the coordinate system, which made it possible to describe geometry with equations and equations with curves — without which there is no calculus and no modern physics. The division he drew between thinking and extended substance, mind and body, set an agenda philosophy still wrestles with.
For children
Descartes resolved to doubt everything he could doubt, in order to find something entirely certain. The one thing he could not doubt was that he was doubting — that is, thinking. From there he rebuilt.
Connects to
Part of Terra Saga — the story of Earth on a timeline. terrasaga.org