Descartes I: Scholasticism. Cartesian Rationalism - 17th century France. Conflict between the Christian-Scholastic world-view and the development of the new sciences. Empiricism and mathematical rationalism. The challenge to existing beliefs by Copernicus, Kepler and Galileo. The growth of mathematics, physics, chemistry, physiology. The life of Descartes, mathematician, physicist, philosopher. His fear of persecution, refuge in Holland. His philosophic resolution of the conflict. Cartesian rationalism compared with platonic rationalism. "From Socrates to Sartre is an educational show hosted by Dr. Thelma Z. Lavine, who teaches viewers about the theories and history of philosophy."
