21st Century: Query 155 (Rene Descartes)
“In order to improve the mind, we ought less to learn, than to contemplate.” ~ Rene Descartes , philosopher, mathematician, and scientist. He was a native of the Kingdom of France, he spent about 20 years (1629–1649) of his life in the Dutch Republic after serving for a while in the Dutch States Army of Maurice of Nassau , Prince of Orange and the Stadtholder of the United Provinces . One of the most notable intellectual figures of the Dutch Golden Age , Descartes is also widely regarded as one of the founders of modern philosophy . What is the difference between “learning” and “contemplating”? Based on his assertion, is Descartes advocating for less formal schooling? Why or why not?