The philosophical method in the 17th and early 18th centuries was governed by the example of the mathematical method. This work shows that there were however varying types of methods concerned. The result was that when subjected to philosophical analysis, in their works Descartes, Leibniz and Wolff developed very different approaches to their methods. These constitute the historical background for the analytical agenda and the concept of Enlightenment which has often been overlooked by researchers up to now.