Rene Descartes: The Man Behind 'I Think, Therefore I Am' (1596 - 1650)

René Descartes, born in 1596, is renowned as one of the most influential philosophers of the early modern period. His famous statement "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am) reflects his method of doubt and the foundation of his philosophy. Descartes sought to establish a secure foundation for knowledge based on reason and skepticism. He made significant contributions to mathematics, particularly in developing Cartesian geometry, and his ideas had a profound impact on subsequent philosophical and scientific thought. Descartes passed away in 1650, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape modern philosophy and inquiry.