Who was a french thinker who emphasized the use of mathematics as perhaps the most reliable way to acquire knowledge

Read the excerpt from the history of herodotus, book 2. egypt . . is an acquired country, the gift of the river. this quotation from herodotus, a greek who traveled in egypt, is about how the nile river enabled ancient egyptian civilization to develop and succeed. what specifically was the river’s gift? fertile soil fishing stocks defensive capabilities drinking water