René Descartes

René Descartes was a French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist from the 17th century, often regarded as the father of modern philosophy. He is famous for the phrase "Cogito, ergo sum," meaning "I think, therefore I am," which emphasizes the importance of doubt and reasoning in the pursuit of knowledge. Descartes made significant contributions to mathematics, including the Cartesian coordinate system, linking algebra and geometry. His ideas laid the groundwork for Enlightenment thought and influenced many fields, encouraging a methodical approach to understanding the world through reason and observation.