"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

"Descartes was the first to bring to light the idea of a transcendental science, which is to contain a system of knowledge of the conditions of possibility of all knowledge." - Kant

"Descartes is rightly considered the father of modern philosophy" - Schopenhauer

A new 2023 translation directly from the original manuscripts into English of Descartes' famous 1619 work "Abstract of Music" (Compendium musicæ). This edition contains a new introduction and afterword from the translator, as well as a timeline of Descartes' life and summaries of each of his works.

Descartes composed this treatise in 1618, during his stay in Breda, when he was only 22 years old. It was not printed until after his death. It discusses the relationship between music and mathematics, and how music can be understood through mathematical principles. This work influenced later discussions on the mathematical basis of music.