Question: who is generally considered to be the father of western philosophy
Answer: René Descartes ( / deɪˈkɑːrt / , UK also / ˈdeɪkɑːrt / ; French : ( ʁəne dekaʁt ) ; Latinized : Renatus Cartesius ; adjectival form : `` Cartesian '' ; 31 March 1596 -- 11 February 1650 ) was a French philosopher , mathematician , and scientist .