Our confusion about thinking

Our confusion stems from philosopher Rene Descartes, who decided to withdraw into his room and discard any knowledge that could be faulty. He chose to work from first principles on things he knew to be true from experience.

His new philosophy was formulated as, "I think, therefore I am." Modern philosophy is set in motion by his idea, except that his statement was not that original. Isaac Beeckman may have suggested some of Descartes ideas.