Rene Descartes was a pioneer in scientific methodology. In 1637 he wrote, "It is possible to attain knowledge which is very useful in life; and that, instead of speculative philosophy which is taught in the Schools, we may find a practical philosophy of means of which, knowing the force and the action of fire, water, air, stars, the heavens, and all other bodies that environ us, as distinctly as we know the different crafts of our artisans, we can in the same way employ them in all those uses to which they are adapted, and thus render ourselves masters and possessors of nature." But can knowledge of speculative matters also be useful? What about philosophy and history? What do they add to our society and culture