Discourse on the Method and Meditations on First Philosophy

Discourse on Method by René Descartes is a seminal work in modern philosophy that lays the groundwork for the scientific method and rational inquiry. In this brief but impactful text, Descartes reflects on the process of doubt and the search for certainty. Famous for the declaration "Cogito, ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I am"), Descartes argues that the act of doubting one's existence proves the existence of the self as a thinking being. The work also outlines his method of critical thinking, based on skepticism and systematic doubt, as a means to achieve true knowledge. Through this exploration, Descartes challenges traditional beliefs and emphasizes the importance of reason as the foundation for understanding the world. Discourse on Method is a pivotal text that influenced both philosophy and the development of modern science.