Which prominent figure is known as the "Father of Modern Philosophy"?

René Descartes is recognized as the "Father of Modern Philosophy" primarily because of his foundational contributions to epistemology and his method of doubt, which revolutionized the way philosophy approached knowledge and existence. His famous dictum, "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am), exemplifies his method of skepticism, where he doubted all things until he arrived at something indubitable. This approach marked a significant departure from medieval scholasticism, focusing instead on reason as the primary source of knowledge.

Descartes’ works, such as "Meditations on First Philosophy," not only laid the groundwork for subsequent philosophical inquiry but also influenced the development of science, mathematics, and metaphysics. His emphasis on rationalism and the use of mathematical principles to explain the natural world fundamentally changed philosophical discourse.

In contrast, while figures like Immanuel Kant, David Hume, and John Locke made significant contributions to philosophy, their work built upon the ideas that Descartes established. Kant expanded on the implications of rationalism, Hume emphasized empiricism, and Locke developed theories of government and social contract that reflected earlier philosophical debates. Thus, Descartes' role as a pioneer in establishing a rational, systematic approach to philosophy sec