ABSTRACT

Among the branches of philosophy, Rene Descartes had, at an earlier period, given some attention to logic, and among those of the mathematics to geometrical analysis and algebra,—three arts or sciences which ought, as he conceived, to contribute something to his design. From his childhood, he have been familiar with letters; and as he was given to believe that by their help a clear and certain knowledge of all that is useful in life might be acquired, he was ardently desirous of instruction. But he believed that he had already given sufficient time to languages, and likewise to the reading of the writings of the ancients, to their histories and fables. But first of all he took sufficient time carefully to satisfy himself of the general nature of the task he was setting myself, and ascertain the true method by which to arrive at the knowledge of whatever lay within the compass of his powers.