René Descartes (1596-1650) was a French philosopher and mathematician. As a philosopher, he is famous for the saying “Cogito ergo sum” (“I think, therefore I am”), and his writings led many to conside...René Descartes (1596-1650) was a French philosopher and mathematician. As a philosopher, he is famous for the saying “Cogito ergo sum” (“I think, therefore I am”), and his writings led many to consider him the Father of Modern Philosophy. Even today, a number of his writings are standard faire in university philosophy departments. However, it is Descartes’ work in mathematics that form the basis for this chapter, particularly his invention of the Cartesian Coordinate System which bears his name
