Descartes: A Biography

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 Descartes: A Biography

Descartes’ visit. Gilberte had been married sinceto Florin P ́erier, and

they lived in the Auvergne. The sisters were frequently worried about their

brother’s delicate health; they were great protagonists of his genius and,

in later years, they disseminated stories about his religious life that gave

the impression of sainthood. It was understandable, then, that Jacqueline

would report in detail to Madame P ́erier about a visit by one of the leading

French philosophers of the time who usually lived in seclusion in northern

Holland. One of Descartes’ friends had called at Pascal’s family home,

while he was at church on Sunday, and suggested that he return the

following morning at nine o’clock accompanied by Descartes. Somewhat

implausibly, Gilberte reports that Descartes had great esteem for both

her father and her brother. Given the delicacy of Pascal’s condition, his

houseminders suggested that ten-thirty would be a more suitable time,

since Blaise found it difficult to talk and to entertain people early in the

morning. Meantime, Roberval–afriend of Pascal and one of his father’s

mathematical friends who had criticized Descartes’Geometryand much

else – was tipped off to attend, along with a number of others. Pascal’s

admiring sister reports the visit as follows:

After the initial greetings, they spoke about the instrument [the calculating machine],

which was much admired as Mr. de Roberval demonstrated it. They then discussed the

vacuum, and Mr. Descartes was very serious as they described an experiment to him.

When they asked what he thought had entered into the syringe, he said it was subtle

matter. My brother replied as much as he could at that point, and Mr. de Roberval,

believing that my brother would have difficulty speaking, challenged Descartes enthu-

siastically but civilly. He replied somewhat sharply that he would speak to my brother

as much as he wished because he spoke reasonably, whereas he would not speak with

him [Roberval] because he spoke prejudicially.

When the discussion seemed to have deviated from Pascal to Roberbal,

Descartes looked at his watch, noticed that it was already midday, and

told the assembled group that he had a dinner appointment at Faubourg

Saint-Germain. Since Roberval had to leave at the same time, Descartes

offered him transport in his carriage, and the two philosophers abused

each other verbally en route much more than they had in Pascal’s company

(or so, at least, Roberval reported when he returned to Pascal’s home after

dinner).

Descartes asked if he could return the next morning at eight o’clock to

continue the discussion with Pascal, who was reluctant to agree because

of his ill health. Descartes did come, in fact, although we have no record