Descartes

The father of modern philosophy, Descartes is still one of the most widely studied philosophers today. Putting rationalism above all else, he sought to base all knowledge of the world on a single idea: “I think, therefore I am”. This introduction expertly summarises his thoughts on the dualism of mind and body, his “proofs” for God’s existence, and his responses to scepticism. Explaining how his life informed his philosophy, Bracken explains the philosopher’s enduring significance.