Descartes

By Alex OmbergA Beginner's Guide to the Core Ideas and Modern Relevance of René Descartes, Including "I Think, Therefore I Am," Mind-Body Dualism, and the Foundations of Modern Philosophy

Philosophy

Biography and Memoir

Length1h 59m

About this book

Summary

This beginner's guide traces the remarkable quest of René Descartes, the "father of modern philosophy," as he sought to rebuild knowledge from the ground up. Born into an age of intellectual crisis, Descartes embarked on a journey of radical doubt, questioning everything from the reliability of his senses to the certainty of mathematics. The book clearly explains his path to discovering the one unshakable truth—"I think, therefore I am" (Cogito, ergo sum)—and how he used this foundation to reconstruct our understanding of the self, God, and the physical world. It demystifies his controversial mind-body dualism and shows how his mechanistic view of the universe paved the way for the Scientific Revolution.

Book information

Rating

★★★★★ (5.0) (1)

Genre

Philosophy, Biography and Memoir

Length

1 hr 59 mins

Publish date

Aug 21, 2025

Language

English

About the Author

Alex Omberg

I publish audiobooks dedicated to philosophy and the biographies of literary giants. Also known as "The Philosophy School," my work focuses on substance and clarity. I aim to provide professional, thorough overviews that explain ideas and lives simply, without talking down to the listener. Whether exploring Stoicism or the world of Virginia Woolf, you will find reliable narratives here. To stay updated on new releases, please subscribe to my mailing list using the link in the personal website section.View all Audiobooks by Alex Omberg

1Title Page

10Chapter 8: The Passions of the Soul

2Preface

11Chapter 9: Cartesian Science

3Chapter 1: The Night of Dreams

12Chapter 10: The Princess and the Philosopher

4Chapter 2: Methodical Doubt

13Chapter 11: The Cartesian Revolution

5Chapter 3: The cogito

14Chapter 12: The Mind-Body Problem Today