Biography of René Descartes

Think, so be

31 March 1596
11 February 1650
René Descartes (known in Italy with the Latinized name of Descartes) was born on the 31 March 1596 in La Haye in Touraine, third son of Joachim Descartes, lawyer and member of the Parliament of Brittany in Rennes and Jeanne Brochard. The family, who owns and rents land, has numerous magistrates, doctors and officials of taxes: the father is awarded the title of "escuyer", first degree of nobility. Her mother's death in childbirth, René is entrusted to the maternal grandmother. Of delicate health, learn to read and write at home, under the guidance of a tutor. Canonical studies in the Jesuit College at La Fléche, where it will remain about nine years following the three regular courses of grammar, rhetoric and logic, which included teachings philosophy Humanities, physics, metaphysics and mathematics with elements of music theory. Released by the College, obeying the wishes of his father, he went to Poitiers to study law. Once an adult, decided to enter as a volunteer in the army.
His extraordinary intelligence, however, led him to become interested in art of the fortifications, as well as speaking and perspective. Meet Isaac Beeckman, Dutch scientist, who encourages him to research in the field of applications of mathematics to physics. At Beeckman dedicates "Compendium musicae", where they investigated the mathematical relationships that govern the consonance, the scales, dissonances. In driven with the great conflict that will be remembered as the thirty years ' war, Descartes makes long trips. After the sale of some land he owned, travels to Italy, staying in Venice, Rome and Florence, returning to France when feel you have traveled enough. Get in touch with eminent scholars like the mathematician Claude Mydorge, and the theologian Marin Mersenne. In collaboration with Midorge is dedicated to mathematical studies in relation to problems in physics and optics. The craftsman Ferrier carves a hyperbolic pane that allows you to check the convergence of light rays.
In "Regulae ad dictionem ingenii", composed in these years, Descartes sets for the first time the problem of the analysis of knowledge. The meeting with Cardinal Pierre de Bérulle, major exponent of Catholic spirituality in France, drives him to deepen the reflection on the deity. Life in Paris will not allow however the concentration needed for his research, he retires then, during the winter of 1628, in the country, probably in a property in Igrandes, close to Chatellerault. After a painful breakup with Beeckman, perhaps due to the fact that they wished to appropriate the theories in the "Compendium musicae", Descartes attends the courses of mathematics at Leiden. With scientist Reneri instead, which is linked by a deep friendship, applies to studies on the physical phenomena that herald the experiments of Torricelli. In these years he started writing "the world or treatise on light" and writing two essays "Diopter" (completed in 1634) and "the meteors" (finished in 1635). In 1633 aware of condemnation by the Holy Office of the "dialogue concerning the two Chief world systems" of Galilei, true to his temperament self-effacing and disinclined to place themselves in the spotlight, waiver to continue and to publish the treatise "Le monde".
Begins to work at the famous "discourse on method", with the intent to expose the essential lines of his philosophy and above all with the idea of being understood by all "in such a way that even those who have not studied will be able to hear it." Formulating a radical critique of traditional knowledge based on the principle of authority (primarily on the philosophy of Aristotle) and the persuasiveness of tradition, issue a new method to distinguish the true from the false in every field of knowledge, as well as in practical life. That method is refined by him in mathematics, which combines the intuitive evidence with the rigor of the deduction. Due to the importance given to reason in the Foundation of the entire knowledge, and the subordinate role assigned to the experience, Descartes is considered the inauguratore of rationalism in modern philosophy.
Descartes argues the need to give a justification of his method, as well as to all who, in mathematics and in physics, could be obtained through it. To this end believes we must first call into question all knowledge commonly accepted, until reaching an ultimate principle to which the "doubt" radical cannot be taken. This theoretical approach, namely to exercise the doubt systematically, could bring up Cannette position close to that of skeptics, but they stands out because the doubt keeps, in his philosophy, a "methodical", that is, not an end in itself, but as a process carried out in view of finding an incontrovertible basis of all knowledge. That basis is identified in the certainty that the ego has of himself in that thinking. The finding apparently elementary fact, philosopher is you can doubt everything, except for its existence: since the very act of thinking we need a thinking subject. This fundamental certainty is fixed by Descartes in the famous formulation: "Cogito, ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I am"). Starting from the principle that the thought has in itself a guarantee of his own existence, concludes that essential attribute of self or person who thinks much the same thought: "I am not, therefore, to put it precisely, if not a thinking thing, that is, a spirit, an intellect or reason." This conclusion was widely criticised, in the 17th century, by the English philosopher Thomas Hobbes. The French philosopher, instead, continues its reflection arguing that God created two orders of substances: the thinking substance ("res cogitans") and license ("res extensa"). The latter is identified with the material, whose main characteristic is to occupy a given spatial extent; While the thinking substance shall comply with laws of thought, the extended substance conforms to the mechanical laws of physics.
This gives rise to the problem of reconciling the soul, as spiritual and in extended, with the body as material reality and spread out. The Division of reality into the two substances, physical and mental, is known as Cartesian dualism "and has influenced extraordinarily modern philosophy (but also, ultimately, the so-called" neuroscience "). The text of the "discourse on method" comes out anonymously in Leiden but not of great interest, so much so that they are sold a very few copies. Descartes focuses then on useful applications of the new science, with particular regard to those natural phenomena of which you can give a logical explanation (for example: studies on the pattern, the ebb and flow of water, etc). In Paris, the Jesuit Pierre Bourdin organizes a public debate in which they are questioned Descartes ' philosophical theories, especially the theories expounded in the "Diopter". Informed by Mersenne, remains very upset by these attacks.
It is for him a painful year. In September, dies at the age of five years old daughter Francine, daughter, with a fleeting affair with a maid, Elena Janse. Joachim's father dies shortly after, and his older sister Jeanne, which was very close. Starts in this year's draft of "Principia philosophiae". On a cultural level, things are not better. The situation falls so that the academic Senate of the University of Utrecht in 1642 prohibits the teaching of the "new philosophy" Cartesian. In the storm of controversy is comforting to Descartes the interest for his research shows the Princess of Bohemia, daughter of Frederick V, in exile after the defeat of the White Mountain (1620). In the winter he went to the Hague to meet her. Between the fragile and melancholic Princess and the philosopher you establish a strong intellectual understanding; Descartes admires the spirit ready and thoughtful. She will dedicate the "Principia philosophiae". But the opposition against Descartes continues: in Utrecht out two books by Voet and his former student, Martijn Schoock, in which he is accused of atheism. Descartes reacts with the "Epistola ad Voetium celeberrimum virum d. Gisbertum". The University of Leyden condemnation on the theological level Descartes, accused to be "more than pelagian and blasphemous".
Embittered by these intentional misunderstanding of his thought, left for France. After a stay in Brittany and in Touraine, in Paris meets Blaise Pascal, frail and sick, and with him discusses issues with the vacuum, the air pressure and experiences conducted by Torricelli. Returning to Holland, reworks some of his previous notes of research in Physiology and starts writing "Primae cogitationes about generationem animalium" (published posthumously). Saddened by the hostility of the Dutch academic environment, accepts the invitation to travel to Sweden asked by Queen Christina. In early October, after a navigation of about a month, is in Stockholm. The young Queen, who can devote to philosophical studies the hours that is free from State Affairs, says Descartes, always been accustomed to long morning rest, to lie in its library each day at five in the morning. 1650. The 1 St February, returned from the Palace, Descartes warns of chills. Hit by a severe pulmonary form with high fevers, died 11 February at four in the morning. On 20 April 1663 his works are put on the index by the Roman congregation.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.