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René Descartes (31 March 1596 - 11 February 1650), was a French philosopher, mathematician, physicist, and writer.

His most notable legacy was not for science but for Philosophy. He is often called the father of modern western philosophy and his books are still considered standard texts on those subjects.

His legacy in Mathematics set the groundwork for the calculus of Newton and Leibniz, by applying infinitesimal calculus to the tangent line problem.

One of Descartes most enduring mathematical legacies was his development of Cartesian geometry which uses algebra to describe geometry. He also invented the notation which uses superscripts to show the powers or exponents, for example the 2 used in x2 to indicate squaring.

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Related Questions

What were Ren Descartes' discoveries?

Rene Descartes invented the famous Cartesian coordinate system.He worked in the field of analytic geometry.


What are Ren Descartes' contributions to mathematics?

Rene desscartes was the father of mathematics.


What city was Ren Descartes born in?

== == Oddly enough, the place now called Descartes. Initially called La Haye en Touraine, the town was renamed La Haye-Descartes in 1802 in his honour, and then renamed again to Descartes in 1967.


Read the description of Ren and eacute Descartes below. How are Descartes's ideas similar to modern science?

Descartes's ideas, such as his emphasis on skepticism and rationalism, parallel modern science's commitment to evidence-based reasoning and inquiry. His focus on the importance of doubt and the use of logic to establish knowledge also aligns with the scientific method, which relies on critical thinking and empirical evidence. Additionally, Descartes's approach to understanding the natural world through systematic observation and measurement presages the empirical methodologies utilized in modern scientific research.


What type of philosopher would Ren Descartes be considered in relation to the mind-body problem?

Ren Descartes would be considered a dualist philosopher in relation to the mind-body problem. He believed that the mind and body are separate entities, with the mind being immaterial and the body being material.


Why did Ren Descartes embark on the project of doubt?

Short answer: Descartes' doubt was like WWI - the doubt to end all doubt. Only by doubting everything could Descartes hope to find anything that was certain (even if the only certainty is that nothing else is certain!).


What did René Descartes do to become a scientist?

He thought about philosophy and science.


What is the significance of the phrase "Cogito, ergo sum" in the philosophy of Ren Descartes?

The phrase "Cogito, ergo sum" means "I think, therefore I am" in Latin. It is significant in Ren Descartes' philosophy because it represents his foundational belief that the act of thinking proves one's existence. Descartes used this statement to establish a starting point for his philosophical inquiry, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and rational thought in understanding reality.


How did Ren Descartes invent the coordinate system?

Some math mathematicians say that Descartes inspiration came from being in bed so late. But, this also came about because of his love for math and all of his studying.


Did Rene Descartes want to be a scientist?

Descartes was a mathematician and a philosopher, not a scientist. Of course, his work in mathematics has been very useful to science.


How did Frances bacon and Rene Descartes contribute to science?

Both Francis Bacon and Rene Descartes created scientific methods. Francis Bacon was a philosopher and Rene Descartes was a philosopher and mathematician.


Which part of science is Rene Descartes credited with developing?

analytical geometry