The fields of modern mathematics and philosophy owe a great deal to René Descartes and Blaise Pascal. As we learn more about the two thinkers, we'll explore the following questions:
- How did Descartes balance the tension between skepticism and certainty in his philosophical writings?
- According to Descartes, why is it important to study foreign languages?
- Why did Pascal sharply criticize Descartes' approach to reason?
Recommended Reading: Decartes, René. Discourse on Method. Barzun, Jacques. From Dawn to Decadence: 1500 to the Present: 500 Years of Western Cultural Life. New York: Harper Perennial, 2001.
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind