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Descartes Aim: The Aim of Descartes’s philosophy was to offer new methods of dealing with philosophical virtues and problems. Descartes work was breaking away from the traditional thought and philosophy during his time. According to the encyclopedia of Philosophy, “This title is justified due both to his break with the traditional Scholastic-Aristotelian philosophy prevalent at his time and to his development and promotion of the new, mechanistic sciences”(Skirry 1). Descartes broke away from the common philosophy structure and introduced mathematical and scientific ways of analyzing many of life's questions. Descartes used final, concrete explanations of why his methods worked, instead of ending with a casual thought, leaving those who followed him with solid answers about his methods. His aim sought to destroy the uncertainty and questionable philosophical principles and instead used science and reason to build the foundation of his work.

Written by: Trevor Crain Skirry, Justin. “Rene Descartes” Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Web. 23 Nov.2015

Audience: The intended audience of René Descartes was scientist and mathematicians. In Smith’s Descartes’ Life and Works it was stated, “He is most famous for having written a relatively short work, Meditations on First Philosophy, in which he provides a philosophical groundwork for the possibility of science” (Smith). Descartes provided the science audience with a new conception of matter. Descartes also made the connection between geometry and algebra, which contributed to solving algebraic and geometric equations. Having these connections present, Descartes created what is known as physics and calculus today. The audience of Descartes appreciates his findings because he has contributed to the knowledge of many individuals of society. Descartes overthrew the system of science that was already established and created a system that he hoped his audience would understand, so they could teach the course material. René Descartes affected scientist and mathematicians positively by giving them a new outlook on science and math and establishing a set system for future scientist and mathematicians.

Written by: Ajia Barnes Smith, Kurt, “Descartes’ Life and Works.” The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Winter ed. 2014. Web. 23 Nov. 2015

Historical: René Descartes impacted history by creating modern philosophies such as deductive reasoning and mathematics to advance human knowledge. According to “Descartes: A New Approach” the author claims that, “Descartes's pursuit of mathematical and scientific truth soon led to a profound rejection of the [|scholastic tradition] in which he had been educated. Much of his work was concerned with the provision of a secure foundation for the advancement of human knowledge through the natural sciences” (Kemerling). The way of knowledge was based on scholastic which was a way to place emphasis on reasonings and inferences to expand knowledge; however Descartes went against what people learned during his time. He went against social norms and created a new philosophy that expanded knowledge with facts rather than inferences and reasoning. He used mathematics and science to expand human knowledge which was explained his book, Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting the Reason (1637). His argument was that people turn to reasoning and original beliefs in order to expand human knowledge about the world, and in order to show the difference between science and religion humans had to discard all original beliefs and all the experience and education previously learned. With his ideas he began to create the theory of epistemology which allows for rational thinking that helps separate beliefs from opinions. Thus creating a modern way of going about beliefs and opinions, and creating a boundary for religion and science.

Written by: Devin Shim Kemerling, Garth. “Descartes: A New Approach.” The Philosophy Pages. Web. 23 Nov. 2015.

Cultural: Descartes's philosophical ideas culturally impacted society's interpretation and perception of reality. His influential work was described, "By placing science and religion in different realms it allowed scientists to proceed without being burned at the stake for heresy" (A Brief History of Psychology). Descartes constructed the dualistic model of reality, in which there are two separate realms that make up reality. These two realms of physical and mental reestablished the meaning of science. Because he brought to light the idea of how the mental realm is unmeasurable and falls outside the laws of science, then religion and science could be endured without much conflict. Descartes separated the ideas of science and religion, which greatly influenced scientists to continue their work without being disregarded from society if they were to fail to find the answers. This is because society realized that some aspects of life and reality altogether are unmeasurable and unsolvable. Its impact culturally includes placing the study of the mind on the mental realm outside of science. The mind is then studied as a subject of behavior that could be researched, but no longer classified as scientific. In addition, Descartes philosophy separated the concepts of technology and ethics, in which technology falls udder the physical realm and ethics under the mental. This has continued to today, because for example, those studying to become an engineer are not expected to study ethics as well. Then compared to the past, technology and ethics are no longer coinciding with findings. Lastly, this philosophy has also altered the process of medicine. Before, it was important to also to use medicine to heal a patient's beliefs, relationships and feelings. Then as a cultural change, medicine's focal point is the health more physically, but there is no longer a coexisting effort to heal both the mental and physical. Ultimately, Descartes introduced a way to encounter science that revolves around facts as opposed to judgement and beliefs.

Written by: Tianna Pinkney Gordon, Oakley. "A Brief History of Psychology." 1995. PDF file.