René Descartes “Cogito Ergo Sum”

On 11 February 1650, René Descartes, one the great French mathematicians, thinkers and philosophers passed away at age 53.

His most famous quote «I think, therefore I am » was originally « I doubt, therefore I think. I think, therefore, I exist » and first appeared in his "Discourse on the Method".

His methodological skepticism is accepted as one of the basis of science. His surname became the adjective "Cartésien" (Cartesian), referring to a person who is rational and rigorous in his analysis.

Descartes is also attributed this quote: "Reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries". I could not agree more!