NATS 1760 Lecture Notes - Pineal Gland, Woodchips, Phlogiston Theory
31 Mar 2013
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Document Summary
Born in france- 1596, educated in elite jesuit school. Jesuits are some of the premiere mathematics of the time. 1618- joins dutch army as mercenary (hire services out to fight for other countries) Later returns to paris, leaves and goes back to holland for some seclusion. In holland writes book on discourse on method. Preoccupied with ability to found philosophy built on truth and certainty rather than possibility and opinion. Rejection of the past; needs to prove things for himself. Sees past as a source of error, superstition, prejudice. Wants to found philosophy on certainty rather than opinion. 2 problems: 2 accepted sources of knowledge (experience,- however senses can mislead you, reason- however reason is fallible) Wants to find something he can know for certain and build philosophy on that knowledge. Philosophy becomes very popular because he wants to replace aristotle, so he explains everything aristotle explains.
