Descartes: A Biography

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Retreat and Defence (–) 

the nature of mathematics was such that everyone should agree with the

judgment of any competent referee. However, this view was undermined by

his efforts to nominate a mathematician who would support his side in the

dispute. Descartes argued, on behalf of Waessenaer, that since Stampioen

and Waessenaer disagreed, it was just as likely that others would fail to

agree also. He asked: ‘why should he fear accepting the judgment of a

plurality of votes, if he hopes to find that they will all agree with him?’

(ii.). The money was lodged with the rector of the University, and

judgment was given in May–infavour of the Cartesian side.

Supporters in Utrecht

During what seemed like an interminable and insoluble row with the

French mathematicians, Descartes lost one of his best friends, and acquired

anewconvert to Cartesian philosophy at Utrecht. The convert was

Henricus Regius (–). He was born in Utrecht, and first came

to know about Descartes through lectures by Reneri. He began to pro-

vide lessons privately to other students and thus came to be appointed to

the Extraordinary Chair of Theoretical Medicine at Utrecht onJuly

.Regius wrote immediately to Descartes, to explain that his aca-

demic success was due to the influence of Cartesian ideas on his education.

Since Reneri frequently visited Descartes in his seclusion in the province

of Holland – he must have been one of the few people who knew where

he lived at that time – it was agreed that Regius would visit Descartes,

accompanied by Reneri, and that he would be introduced personally to the

philosopher who was allegedly responsible for his academic success. Reneri

did visit Descartes onAugust, and was able to tell him the height

of the Dom tower at Utrecht.This visit coincided with the worst period

of controversy with the French mathematicians, during which Descartes

borrowed the words of Saint Paul to express his feelings of rejection. ‘At

the end of the day, if the French are too unjust to me,I shall turn to the

Gentiles’ (ii.). In this context, he consoled himself by reflecting on the

fact that his philosophical efforts were appreciated at least in Utrecht.

Iamdetermined to have my Latin translation of this material published soon, and I

tell you that I received this very week some letters from a Doctor whom I had never

known or seen, and who nevertheless thanked me very warmly for having made him

become a professor in a university in which I have neither friends nor influence. But