What Descartes knew of mathematics in 1628 |
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Authors: | David Rabouin |
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Institution: | CNRS-Univ. Paris Diderot, UFR “Science de la vie”, UMR 7219, Laboratoire de philosophie et d’Histoire des Sciences, Case 7093, 5 rue Thomas Mann, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France |
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Abstract: | The aim of this paper is to give an account of Descartes’ mathematical achievements in 1628–1629 using, as far as is possible, only contemporary documents, and in particular Beeckman’s Journal for October 1628. In the first part of the paper, I study the content of these documents, bringing to light the mathematical weaknesses they display. In the second part, I argue for the significance of these documents by comparing them with other independent sources, such as Descartes’ Regulae ad directionem ingenii. Finally, I outline the main consequences of this study for understanding the mathematical development of Descartes before and after 1629. |
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Keywords: | 01A45 |
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