René Descartes, the “Father of Modern Philosophy,” taught us to doubt, to question, and to rebuild life on what is certain. In this episode, we explore his radical method of doubt, his famous “I think, therefore I am,” and his unshakable belief in the power of reason. From science and mathematics to personal growth, Descartes’s lessons remain as urgent today as they were in the 17th century.
Discover how doubt can bring clarity, how self-awareness grounds identity, and how clarity itself can transform the way we live and lead.
🔎 Reflective Questions for Listeners
1.Doubt & Clarity What assumptions in my life am I accepting without question—and what might change if I applied Descartes’s method of doubt to them?
2.Identity & Self-Awareness Do I define myself by roles, possessions, or outcomes—or by the deeper awareness that I think, therefore I am? How might this shift my sense of self-worth?
3.Reason & Action When I face big decisions, am I letting impulse or habit guide me—or am I pausing to gather facts and apply reason? What decision in my life right now could benefit from clearer reasoning?
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René Descartes (1596–1650) was a French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist often called the “Father of Modern Philosophy.” Born in La Haye en Touraine, he studied law but turned to a life of inquiry, traveling across Europe in pursuit of truth. In his Meditations on First Philosophy, he developed the method of doubt, famously concluding “Cogito, ergo sum”—“I think, therefore I am.” He also made groundbreaking contributions to mathematics, including Cartesian coordinates, and to physics. Descartes sought certainty in a world of confusion, and his work laid the foundation for both rationalism and the scientific revolution.
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Fun Fact: Descartes often conducted his deepest thinking while lying in bed until late morning. He believed relaxed reflection was more valuable than rushing into action—a reminder that deep work often requires stillness.
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