The notion of a clean slate as a basis or starting point have been strong roots in philosophical thinking for decades. Some noted philosophers applying this notion to their thinking are none other than Descartes himself as well as John Locke, who's "Tabula Rasa" proposition is well known.
It should be noted that Descartes' "clean sate" is different to the Tabula Rasa as suggested by Locke in the sense that Descartes is referring to clearing apparent "knowledge" that is based on false assumptions, as opposed to Locke's emphasis on experience gained through the sense.
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