The Principles of Philosophy

"The Principles of Philosophy," primarily associated with René Descartes, focuses on foundational questions of existence, knowledge, and perception. Descartes seeks to establish undeniable truths by doubting everything that can be doubted, famously concluding "I think, therefore I am" to affirm existence through thought. He examines the nature of reality, the relationship between mind and body, and the certainty of knowledge, emphasizing reason and skepticism as tools for understanding. This work laid the groundwork for modern philosophy and encouraged critical thinking about beliefs, existence, and the nature of knowledge itself.