What is it about?
This study examines how the 17th-century philosopher René Descartes' ideas on "self-learning" (autodidacticism) are being reborn in today’s digital world. In modern education, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a tool; it has become an invisible infrastructure that personalizes and guides the individual learning process. The article analyzes how Descartes’ principles of mental independence and methodical doubt align with modern AI-driven educational platforms. It explores how individuals can freely design their own learning journeys in the "postdigital" era—a time when technology is fully integrated into our daily existence and cognitive experiences.
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Why is it important?
While educational technology is advancing rapidly, its philosophical foundations are often overlooked. This article bridges the gap between historical philosophy and contemporary technology to provide a deeper perspective on the future of learning. The work is unique because it connects Descartes’ 400-year-old vision of autonomous inquiry with modern AI capabilities. It argues that AI should be viewed not merely as a "search engine," but as a catalyst for personal intellectual freedom. This provides educators, developers, and policymakers with a robust theoretical framework for reimagining education as a truly self-driven and personalized journey.
Perspectives
In writing this article, I wanted to challenge the common fear that technology might make human learners passive. By revisiting Cartesian philosophy, I realized that digital tools, when used correctly, actually bring us closer than ever to the ideal of being "our own masters." I hope this work encourages readers to see AI not just as a source of answers, but as a partner in building their own intellectual autonomy.
Prof.Dr. Mehmet Fırat
Anadolu Universitesi
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Reimagining Descartes’ philosophy of autodidacticism in the postdigital education, Educational Philosophy and Theory, January 2026, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/00131857.2025.2611000.
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