"The effect of this man on his age and the new age cannot be imagined broadly enough... René Descartes is indeed the true beginner of modern philosophy, insofar as it makes thinking the principle. "- Hegel
A new 2024 translation directly from the original manuscripts into English of Descartes' famous work "Treatise on Mechanics" (Traité de la mécanique). This edition contains a timeline of Descartes' life and works, a glossary of Cartesian terminology, and Afterword by the translator that explains the significance of Descartes' contributions to modern philosophy and science, particularly his method of skepticism and rationalism. Descartes' focus on clear, logical reasoning is a hallmark of his philosophy, and his influence on fields such as mathematics and physics is profound, with his work laying the foundation for later scientific advances. Part of Descartes' broader contributions to physics and philosophy, this work focuses specifically on the mechanics of machines and devices, illustrating how small forces can be used to lift heavy loads through the application of mechanical principles. The treatise discusses basic mechanical concepts such as pulleys, inclined planes, levers, wedges, wheels, screws, and how they work based on proportional force. Descartes presents the physics behind these machines and explains how various systems multiply force, allowing humans to lift or move heavy objects with less effort. His explanations are mathematically sound and aim to simplify the principles of mechanical advantage.