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UT AST 350L - Lecture 12: Descartes

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The History and Philosophyof Astronomy (Lecture 12: Descartes)Instructor: Volker BrommTA: Amanda BauerThe University of Texas at AustinAstronomy 350L (Spring 2005)Rene Descartes: The First Modern Philosopher • 1596 (La Haye) – 1650 (Stockholm)• founder of modern philosophy- method of radical doubt- mind-body dualism• invented analytical geometry(Cartesian coordinates)• Importance for astronomy:- mechanistic universe- infinite universeDescartes: Timeline and Context • setting the intellectual stage for Newton• younger contemporary of Galileo and KeplerDescartesDescartes: Geography of his LifeSchool in La Fleche (1606-14) • newly established elite school, run by Jesuits• Curriculum:- Latin- scholastic philosophy- state-of-the-art mathematicsA Restless Early Life • 1615- 16: University in Poitiers (law degree)• 1618: joins Dutch army (as engineer)• 1619: joins Bavarian army (30 Years War)• 1622-28: lives in Paris• Also: extensive travel throughout this periodDescartes in Paris (1622-28) • Paris: the hotspot of the Age!Descartes in Paris: Centralization of Power • Cardinal Richelieu (1585-1642)- rise in power- becomes Chief Minister- creates centralized (abolutistic)French State- founds Academie Francaise(“guardian” of French language)Descartes: A Desire for Calm and Peace • after having seen theworld, Descartes wantsquiet time to think andwrite• decides to leave bustleof Paris behind• move to Netherlands(sedentary 2ndhalf ofhis life)Descartes in the Netherlands (1628-49) • A young, vibrant nation: most tolerant place in Europe then!Descartes in the Netherlands (1628-49) • A superpower of the 17thcentury!The Dutch Golden Age (Arts and Sciences) The Night Watch, Rembrandt (1606-69)The Philosopher: A New System • Discours de la Methode(Discourse on the Method, 1637)• Radical doubt:- nothing is certain, but:- Cogito, ergo sum (I think, therefore I am)• Dualistic philosophy (mind-body)• First truly original philosophicalsystem since antiquityThe Philosopher: Radical Doubt • Destruction of all previous certainties• I cannot be sure of what my senses tell me(after all, I could be dreaming…)• But: I cannot doubt one thing: That I doubt (think)!• Thus: My thinking proves my existence!I think, therefore I am!The Philosopher: Prove God’s Existence • I know that I am not perfect, but I have theidea of a perfect being in my mind!• This perfect being cannot be the same as me,as I myself am surely imperfect! • This perfect being would not be perfect if itdid not also exist!The perfect being (God) exists!Prove Existence of Outside Objects • In my thinking, I clearly conceive of objects inthe outside world!• God, being perfect, would not deceive me! The outside world exists!• But this outside world is very different from the thinking mind! • There are two kinds of substance!Cartesian Dualism MindBodies• thinks• has “extension”(length, breadth, width)• behave accordingto laws of physics(determinism)• free thought/will• Two realms of reality are fundamentally differentand independent!Cartesian Dualism • The human body is a machine• But the brain then is alsopart of this machine• Big Q: How does themind interact with the brain?Mind-Body Interaction: Clock Analogy MindBrain• Mind and body only appear to interact, but arereally pre-set in parallelism!• What about free will? (Brain follows deterministiclaws…)The Mathematician: Analytical Geometry • merge geometry and algebra!• (Cartesian) Co-ordinates!The Scientist: Matter in Motion • Principia Philosophiae(Philosophical Principles, 1644)• Theory of matter, space,and motion• A mechanical system ofthe universe (matter in motion)• An infinite universeThe Scientist: Space and Matter • begin with empty (“undressed”) space of geometry!The Scientist: Space and Matter • Direct collisions can change motion!The Scientist: Space and Matter • Assume for the moment that there were empty space!• There can be no vacuum!matterEmpty space• But: Portion of empty space has “extension”!• Thus (according to Descartes): There must alsobe matter (whatever has extension is matter,and vice versa!)The Scientist: Space and Matter • space is densely packed with material particles!• No gaps between! World is a plenum!Motion in Completely Filled Space • particle experiences pushes from adjacent particles!• path is bent into closed (~circular) shape!Descartes Model of the Universe • vortex (whirlpool) cosmology!• space/matter have no edge!• infinity of vortices- infinitude of Suns and Solar systems• The universe has no centerand no edge!• Red path: Descartes’ (wrong) theory for comets!The Clockwork Universe • Descartes establishes picture of universe governedby simple laws of motion (the “mechanical philosophy”)• Many of detailed explanations were soon found to be wrong,but overall approach became highly influential (e.g., Newton)!Toward the Infinite Universe: Thomas Digges• popularizer of Copernican model (1576)!• stars are not confined to a thin shell!1663: Descartes on Index of Forbidden Books • Index Librorum Prohibitorum• Organized censorship• Introduced in 1559• Abolished in 1966Journey’s end: Move to Stockholm • Invitation from QueenChristina of Sweden• Descartes as Queen’sprivate tutor• Problem: Descarteshas to show up at courtalready at 5amJourney’s end: Death in Stockholm 1650 • contracts lethal pneumonia during fierce Swedish winter!Descartes• Rene Descartes: - founder of modern philosophy- a new system of philosophy- based on method of radical doubt (Cogito ergo sum)• Cartesian Dualism- mind vs matter- Q: How can the brain be influenced by the mind/soul???• Cartesian model of the universe- consists of vortices (“matter in motion”)- universe is infinite- universe is governed by mechanical


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