Descartes and the “Discourse on Method”: the Revolution of Reason René Descartes, the renowned French philosopher, mathematician and physicist, continues to resonate as one of the pillars of Western philosophy, with his “Discourse on Method” (1637) as a landmark that redefined scientific and philosophical thought. Born in 1596, Descartes followed a path of searching for truth, which distanced him from traditional scholastic teaching. Driven by remarkable experiences, such as the condemnation of Galileo, the French thinker developed an innovative method, based on methodical doubt and the prioritization of reason. The core of the Cartesian method lies in four fundamental rules: the acceptance of clear and distinct ideas, the division of complex problems into smaller parts, the orderly conduct of thought and the carrying out of complete revisions. Through methodical doubt, Descartes formulated the famous maxim “Cogito, ergo sum” (“I think, therefore I am”), establishing the existence of thought as an indubitable foundation. From this certainty, he reconstructed a system of knowledge that addressed the mind-body duality and defended the existence of God. The “Discourse on the Method” had a profound impact on philosophy and science, driving the development of rationalism and influencing fields such as psychology and neuroscience. Descartes, with his relentless search for clarity and reason, consolidated his legacy as the father of modern philosophy, inspiring generations of thinkers.
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