Was Descartes Actually a Catholic Philosopher? | Fr. Bonaventure Chapman and Fr. Patrick Briscoe

August 21, 2026

René Descartes: Catholic Philosopher or Father of Modernity?

Why do Catholics and Thomists give René Descartes such a hard time? Fr. Patrick and Fr. Bonaventure revisit the philosopher behind “I think, therefore I am” and make a surprising case for understanding Descartes as a Catholic philosopher.

The friars explore Descartes’ Catholic formation, his education, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the influence of St. Augustine on his philosophical method. They unpack the Meditations on First Philosophy, Descartes’ famous turn inward, his understanding of the thinking self, his arguments for God, and the controversial mind-body problem.

But Descartes’ legacy extends far beyond the philosophy classroom. His approach helped shape modern science, mathematics, technology, and the modern world itself. So did Descartes lead philosophy down the wrong path, or do Catholics owe him more credit than we think?

Discover why one of modern philosophy’s most controversial thinkers might deserve another look.