MODERN PHILOSOPHYModern philosophy is a type of philosophy which originated in Western Europe in the 17th century, and now common worldwide. It is not a specific doctrine or school, although there are certain assumptions common to much of it, which helps to distinguish it from earlier philosophy. The convention, however, is to refer to philosophy of the Renaissance prior to Rene Descartes as Early Modern Philosophy" and to refer to twentieth century philosophy, or