Certainty of Descartes’ Cogito (Thomson, Garrett, (2000), on Descartes, Delhi: Wadsworth Cengage Learning)

Thomas Garrett has rightly highlighted Rene Descartes' immense contribution to philosophy and science. In the very beginning of this book the author briefly discussed the context of Descartes' philosophy as well as the author is concerned, the Meditation give the metaphysical and epistemological foundation of Descartes' physics where he attempts to build on entire philosophical system with no prior assumptions. The author is of the opinion that Descartes did not intend the metaphysics to stand apart from his scientific work. Descartes also worked on the methodological and philosophical implication of this new science. As a young man Descartes was first and foremost a mathematician and based on his own mathematical experience, he also developed a practical method of investigation and general problem solving. Towards the middle of his life Descartes tried to unveil the philosophy of his project. Descartes method of doubt was a great revolutionary idea that helped liberate generations of thinkers from the confines of scholastic thought.