Final answer:
Descartes saw the universe as a mechanical system governed by physical laws and set in motion by God, aligning with his dualistic view that separates the material and the spiritual.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rene Descartes conceptualized the universe as a giant engine driven by the laws of nature and God. He proposed a form of dualism, where the universe is composed of both matter (physical substance) and spirit (non-physical substance). The material world operates much like a mechanism, following the laws set out by God, who is the initial unmoved mover and primary cause.
Descartes suggested that these laws are logical and can be understood through reason, which aligns with his view that clear and distinct ideas represent true knowledge. He applied his mechanical philosophy to explain physical phenomena without the need for the soul's direct intervention. Descartes' famous assertion "Cogito, ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I am") further implies that the mind or soul, being a non-physical entity, is independent from the physical workings of the body and the universe.