René Descartes on self
René Descartes (1596–1650) approaches self within Rationalism. The cogito identifies thinking as indubitable; he distinguished thinking substance from extended substance and defended clear and distinct ideas. Systematically, the teaching links method, mind, mathematics into a practical and theoretical whole. On this page, the archive isolates English passages where that project meets self most directly—useful for searches such as “rené descartes quotes on self.”
How to use this page
Start with the shortest passage, then compare tone across sources. Return to the René Descartes thinker page for biography and to the self theme for other voices on the same question.
Frequently asked
What did René Descartes say about self?
The quotations below are the archive’s curated answer: English renderings selected for clarity and attribution, not a complete corpus.
Where else should I read after rené descartes on self?
Related themes: Philosophy , Knowledge , Freedom , Life , Wisdom , Nature .