The Contribution of Rene Descartes to Philosophy

Running head: PHILOSOPHY
PHILOSOPHY
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Author Note

1PHILOSOPHY
Rene Descartes is a renowned scientist, mathematician, philosopher born in France. The
major contribution that was made by Descartes to the realm of philosophy refers to the Cartesian
method of doubt. The following essay aims at discussing the contribution of the renowned
philosopher to the field of philosophy. The essay aims to discuss the critical application of the
method of doubt as was put forth by Descartes and thereafter discusses the creation of a new
foundation for the knowledge in discussion. The essay further proceeds to discuss the criticism
of the empiricism as discussed by Locke on the rationalist account of knowledge as put forth by
Descartes. The essay further attempts a comparison of the plausibility of the rationalism of
Descartes and the empiricism as discussed by Locke.
The method of doubt as discussed by Rene Descartes refers to the philosophy that states
that every single factor that is presented to an individual should be questioned. The theory put
forth by the eminent philosopher states that the individual should question the beliefs that have
been provided to the given individual. The method of doubt as discussed by Descartes is known
to have been influencing all the members to be skeptical about the truthfulness of the concept
that is provided to the person. The method of doubt is observed to have been one of the most
important factors that were developed in philosophy and helped every single person to develop a
penchant for seeking the truth behind the matters that were discussed in the vicinity of the
individual. The major point that was discussed by Descartes through his method of doubt is the
theory of “Cogito ergo sum” which translates into “I think, therefore I am”. This depicts the fact
that the eminent philosopher even discussed the truthfulness of the existence of his own self
through the process of self-doubt.
The theories that were put forth by John Locke one of the pioneers in the field of
philosophy tends to look into the issues that are known by the human mind without the need for