Descartes Facts
Descartes Facts
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| Interesting Descartes Facts: |
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| Descartes may be most widely and well known for his statement, "Cogito ergo sum, better known by the English translation, "I think, therefore I am." |
| Descartes has been bestowed with a moniker "father of analytical geometry," for his work that draws parallels between algebra and geometry. This connection between the fields is important in calculus. |
| This system is used for graphing and plotting by assigning a reference point based on a set of numbers, from which algebraic equations can be represented as shapes by connecting the coordinates. |
| At the same time, Descartes' work is still taught in most mathematics departments, especially his Cartesian coordinate system. |
| Descartes' most famous writing may continue to be his Meditations on First Philosophy, which is still often required reading in philosophy courses at most universities. |
| In 1633, Descartes decided not to publish one of his works, Treatise on the World, following the decision by the Catholic Church to condemn Galileo for heresy. |
| His philosophy was opposed by the empiricist school of thought, which was founded on the work of Hobbes, Locke, Berkeley, and Hume. |
| Both Descartes and Leibniz made crucial contributions to science as well as mathematics. |
| Descartes' work formed the basis for 17th-century rationalism, which was later supported by Baruch Spinoza and Gottfried Leibniz, as all three were highly educated in the different areas of mathematics. |
| This experience led him to believe that understanding science would be the source of true wisdom and the major purpose for his life's work. |
| These visions led Descartes to formulate a new philosophy on analytical geometry, specifically the concept that mathematics could be applied to philosophy. |
| According to accounts, Descartes had a "vision" while locked in an oven room; in that time, he had several visions and therefore believed they were divinely inspired. |
| While studying engineering with the express intent of becoming a military engineer, Descartes was required and encouraged to study as much as he could in the various fields of mathematics. |
| With Descartes' early desire to become a career military officer following earning his law degree, he enlisted in the Army of Breda in the Dutch Republic, under the command of Maurice of Nassau. |
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