What was the major belief and statement of Rene Descartes?

Question

And what was his contribution to the modern world?

Answer 1

Sparknotes provides a nice summary of Descartes's ideas:
http://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/descartes/themes.html

This page talks about his influence:
http://www.rep.routledge.com/article/DA026SECT13

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Answer 2

Rene Descartes Beliefs

Answer 3

Cogito, ergo sum. This is Latin for "I think, therefor I am." Descartes was a philosopher who was contemplating the meaning of life. His conclusion was, in effect, that if you can wonder if life is real, if you can ponder whether or not you exist, you must be real and really exist. If you can think, you must be real. Of course, this begs the question of whether animals, bacteria or viruses are real. Do they think? Can they do anything that is not what their species have always done and will always do? What about domestic animals that can be trained to do things that humans want done? Are they thinking? Is it instinct? Descartes biggest contribution is that he asked questions and got other people thinking about the answers. It's not important whether or not they answered the questions; what's important for any philosopher is that questions are asked.

Answer 4

I think, therfore I am (cogito ergo sum) He used this statement as the foundation for his philosophy. This assertion was essential because he had to doubt everything else before he could move on. For example, he had to doubt his senses (everything he sees, hears, touches, etc is not real) and his preconceived notions. The only thing he could be sure of was his concsciousness and he moved from there.