“Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to resolve it.”
- March 31, 1596 – February 11, 1650
- French
- Philosopher, Mathematician, Scientist, Father of Modern Philosophy
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Quote
“Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to resolve it.”
Explanation
In this quote, Descartes presents one of the core principles of his method of reasoning: the idea that any complex problem becomes more manageable when it is broken down into smaller, simpler parts. This analytic approach allows for clearer understanding and more effective solutions by focusing on individual elements rather than being overwhelmed by the whole. It reflects Descartes’ belief that systematic thinking is essential to uncovering truth.
This principle was laid out in Discourse on the Method, where Descartes introduced his famous four rules for acquiring knowledge. During a time of intellectual uncertainty and scientific transformation, he sought to replace chaotic learning with order and logic, inspired by the precision of mathematics. By dividing problems into their constituent parts, Descartes created a foundation for the scientific method and modern rational inquiry.
Today, this method finds application in nearly every discipline: from engineering and medicine to software development and education. Complex tasks—whether diagnosing a disease or debugging code—are tackled by decomposing the problem into manageable segments. Descartes’ guidance remains timeless: clarity and resolution emerge not from wrestling with the whole, but from understanding and addressing each part in turn.
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