Rene Descartes

Rene Descartes was born in Tours, France in 1596 and is known as the founder of the modern age of philosophy because he challenged the traditional systems of thought, based on Aristotle (Audi, 1995, p. 193). After years of formal education, Descartes left France to travel Europe so that he could gain wisdom through the world and within himself (Audi, 1995, p. 193). In his travels, he met the Dutchman Isaac Beeckman who reawakened his interest in mathematics (Audi, 1995, p. 193). It was this passion that would consume the majority of his life and influence his theories on philosophy (Audi, 1995, p. 193). After experiencing a vivid dream, Descartes resolved to create a new scientific and philosophical system. He emigrated to Holland in 1628 where he spent most of the time until his death in 1650 (Audi, 1995, p. 193).

Descartes wrote some of his work down in a series of Meditations, which focus on his central work of metaphysics. Descartes believed that there was a unity of knowledge as simple as a set of numbers that linked together all scientific disciplines (Audi, 1995, p. 194). Metaphysics composed the roots of that system, whereas the branches would be the practical sciences such as medicine. Descartes adhered to the principle of foundationalism, or nothing can be established until one goes back to the first principle (Audi, 1994, p. 194). In a journey to build a foundation, Descartes had to go back beyond what he had learned and been told in school and in life. Further thinking led him to realize that he could not even trust his senses because they were deceiving (Audi, 1995, p. 194). By the end of his first meditation, he was left in extreme doubt. However, he reasoned that because of the existence of his thoughts, he must indeed exist, from which came his famous phrase, “Cogito ergo sum”, or “I think therefore I am” (Audi, 1995, p. 195). Descartes also concluded that there must be a supreme being because such an idea is so great that it could not have originated from within himself (Audi, 1995, p. 195). From there, he continued to build upon the foundation and concluded that things can be known because God has given us the gift of pure and distinct intellect, even if our senses deceive us. Truth can be discovered through intellect as we judge the information gathered from our senses.

This journey should inspire every Christian to ask the question, what is the foundation of our knowledge and faith? Although Descartes’ theories have been debated, he was instrumental in a new way of thinking, which has impacted our thinking today. What is the foundation of your knowledge of God, trust in the Bible, source of faith? Sometimes our foundation is well thought out and valid. Other times, our foundation is flimsy and based on the wrong things. This leads us to examine ourselves on a deeper level, which can bring us to a stronger and more mature faith. Descartes discovered God through his meditations even after going through a journey of extreme doubt. Doubt is not bad but you have to be ready to struggle through the journey and reach the other side. You may never examine the question of your existence but it is important to go deeper in your thinking. Strive for a solid foundation that is based upon reality rather than trends, stereotypes or what people have told you.