An introduction to the life and work of Rene Descartes (1596 – 1650). In his collection of essays, called "Meditations", Descartes outlines a modern, rationalist philosophy, one that rejects the help of tradition and earlier theories in order to build a new system of knowledge and science based on only on certainty. Using only the power of reason, Descartes claims, it is possible to establish the sure foundation of all knowledge. Copyright 2014 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.