Rene DescartesRené Descartes (1596-1650) was a French philosopher, mathematician, physicist, and writer and is considered to be the father of modern philosophy and the founder of analytical geometry. He constructed a system of knowledge that discads perception as unreliable and instead relies on deduction as a method to ensure that our knowledge rests upon a firm foundation. He retained a deep religious faith as a Catholic to his dying day, along with a resolute desire to discover the truth. In 1663, the Pope placed his works on the Index of Prohibited Books. Read More Read Less