Cartesianism: Mathematization and Reason's Autonomy

Mathematization and Scientific-Technical Development

The speech proposes a method and a criterion of truth that are inherent in mathematics. Descartes thus believed that all science would gain similar assurance. The characteristic of mathematization is that from a saturated environment, it has permeated almost every field of Western science. From Cartesian axes to the design of particle accelerators, the same parameter persists: the real is considered mathematizable. The understanding of things is achieved by quantifying, i.e., reducing to quantity and then finding the relations between these quantities. Major discoveries in science (physics, biology, security, audio) and their technical applications (engineering, medicine, etc.) have been such that faith in religion has been replaced by faith in science. Salvation is sought in this science, as Descartes believed its basis to be certain, addressing this scientific development in which he himself participated. A test of this faith is that all governments insist on investing in the necessity of scientific research.

The development of social sciences and humanities (sociology, economics, anthropology) is also explained as a result of the new vision of the human being that came with Cartesianism. So too, even in fields studying human beings, which might seem able to avoid mathematization, it has become a necessary instrument in their investigations. It is the scientific model that determines whether the study of the psyche is allowed to be mathematical or not. Information theory is the ultimate expression of the Cartesian project. In fact, it speaks of a digital world expressed uniquely with 0 and 1. Within a computer, there are no contradictions; no matter exists which is not derived from the established principles. Deduction is always perfect. The need for what is mathematized still dominates.

Autonomy of Reason from Faith

Mathematization alone would not have led to scientific development had it not been accompanied by the autonomy of reason. Only independent of religion can truth be reached. Descartes becomes a basic reference for the process of secularization. Once reason has been separated from faith, science can discover laws without needing validation from any authority other than scientific experience. Development and secularization are, at least in the West, constant parallels. No process continues where faith remains a criterion of truth, as we see in the U.S. attempt to eliminate creationism to teach evolutionism, or the Vatican's criticism of genetic research.