CHAPTER III 



DESCARTES AND HIS INFLUENCE ON 

 RECENT SCIENCE 



De s'6garer avec methode. MICHELET. 



IF it be true that the permanent advances made in 

 science have been the result of observing phenomena 

 and of classifying them in laws which are as often as 

 possible to be expressed by mathematical formulae ; and 

 if it be also true that we have persisted in the effort 

 to explain the causes of phenomena without really 

 advancing knowledge; then it will be most useful to 

 compare our present state with that of an earlier time. 

 For this purpose, I have chosen to sketch the scientific 

 system of Descartes. In the first place, there can be 

 no doubt as to the enormous increase in our positive 

 knowledge of phenomena and natural laws since his 

 time; the difference is so great that there is no need 

 to dwell on it. And yet, if we consider the history of 

 Descartes's hypothetical cosmogony, we learn that it 

 was discarded only to have a revival at the present 

 time. The advantage of reviewing the system of Des- 

 cartes is all the greater because it seems apparent that 

 many of those who are quoting his authority have not 

 an accurate knowledge of what he taught. 



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