Books

Leyden, Ian Maire, 1637. 4to [207 x 155 mm] of 78 pages, (1) l., 413 pp., (1) p. of notice and (18) ll., the last one blank. Full fawn calf, gilt fillet on the covers, spine ribbed, mottled edges, minor restorations. Elegant contemporary Parisian binding. "Precious first edition of Descartes' masterpiece." Tchemerzine, II, 776; PMM, 129; Horblit, One hundred book famous in science, 24; En Français dans le texte n°90; Dibner, Heralds, 81 ("The Dioptrique contains the earliest statement of Willebrord Snell's law of refraction"); Norman Library, 621. After Galileo's sentence in 1633, Descartes had made a resolution not to print any book during his lifetime. From Holland where his aspiration for loneliness and isolation had driven him, the philosopher still corresponds with his nearest and dearest. It is in the face of their entreaties that he gave in and published in 1637 an anthology of his researches to which he gave the meaning of a peculiar and personal process. After having…

René Descartes' seminal work, "Discours de la méthode pour bien conduire sa raison, et chercher la vérité dans les sciences plus La Dioptrique, Les Météores et La Géométrie qui sont des essais de cette Méthode," commonly known as "Discourse on the Method," represents a monumental shift in the approach towards scientific and philosophical inquiry. First published in 1637, it not only laid down the foundation for modern philosophy but also introduced a new methodological approach to science, emphasizing reason and observation over medieval traditions and Aristotelian scholasticism. This essay seeks to explore the core components and the overarching impact of Descartes' work, delineating its significance in the annals of Western thought. At the heart of "Discourse on the Method" is Descartes' advocacy for methodical skepticism— a revolutionary idea proposing doubt as a means to achieve certainty. The cogito, encapsulated by the famous dictum "Cogito, ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I am"), underscores the assertion that the act of thinking itself is the only undeniable proof of existence. This foundational belief paves the way for a new framework of knowledge, one built upon the indubitable truth of self-awareness. Complementing the philosophical underpinnings of his discourse, Descartes' essays— "La Dioptrique," "Les Météores," and "La Géométrie"—serve as practical applications of his method. In "La Dioptrique," he delves into the principles of optics, elucidating the laws of refraction and reflection through geometric analysis. This exploration not only advances the understanding of light and vision but also demonstrates the application of mathematical principles to physical phenomena, a novel approach at the time. Similarly, in "Les Météores," Descartes applies his method to the explanation of meteorological phenomena, eschewing Aristotelian explanations in favor of physical principles. This essay exemplifies his belief in the universality of physical laws and their ability to explain natural phenomena, a cornerstone of the modern scientific approach. Perhaps the most profound impact of Descartes' work is evidenced in "La Géométrie," where he introduces the Cartesian coordinate system. This innovation allows for the description of geometric figures through algebraic equations, fundamentally bridging the gap between algebra and geometry. The implications of this for the development of calculus and modern mathematics cannot be overstated, as it provided the tools necessary for the precise analysis of geometric space. The legacy of Descartes' "Discourse on the Method" and its accompanying essays extends far beyond their immediate contributions to mathematics and science. By championing reason as the primary source of knowledge and advocating for a systematic approach to inquiry, Descartes laid the groundwork for the Enlightenment and the eventual rise of the scientific method. His work symbolizes the transition from medieval to modern thought, emphasizing the power of the human mind to understand and shape the world.