Descartes: A Biography

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 Descartes: A Biography

matched by an equally extensive student interest. As late as,only

sixty-four students were studying mathematics in the Jesuit colleges at

La Fleche and Paris, which represented less than` .percent of the total

student enrollment and just overpercent of those in the philosophy

cycle.

In contrast with this training in skills that were relevant to the stu-

dents, many of whom might have pursued careers in which applied math-

ematics was useful, their study of physics was based on certain books

of Aristotle that were rapidly becoming obsolete. These included, in the

second year,On the Heavens, Book I ofOn Generation and Corruption,

and Booksandof thePhysics.The early seventeenth century was a

period of intensive questioning of the fundamental efficacy and explana-

tory value of Aristotelian physics, and it would have been impossible for

Descartes’ teachers simply to read from Aristotle without any reference to

recent challenges to his system. However, the basic concepts in terms of

which Aristotle thought of the physical world, and the kinds of problems

that were classified as physical, together with the perspective from which

they were discussed, must have been taught to the young students. It was

this general perspective, rather than any detailed solutions, that Descartes

subsequently challenged with an intensity that could be explained only by

personal experience.

Besides, theSyllabusrequired professors to respect Aristotle, even when

they did not follow his teaching, and to refrain from presenting novel or

dangerous views to their students. Ruleforprofessors of philosophy

stated:

In matters of any importance let him not depart from Aristotle unless something occurs

which is foreign to the doctrine which academies everywhere approve of; much more

if it is opposed to the orthodox faith, and if there are any arguments of this or any other

philosopher against the faith, he will endeavour earnestly to refute them according to

the Lateran Council.

The same conservatism was repeated in the rules for the prefect of stud-

ies, which specified the books that should be made available to students.

‘He shall give to the students of theology and philosophy not all books

but...besides theSummaof St. Thomas for the theologians, and Aristo-

tle for the students of philosophy, some select commentary which they can

consult in private studies.’The rules for all professors of theology and

philosophy required them to avoid ‘new opinions’ and not to introduce any