Descartes and the Historical Context of the 17th Century

Historical and Cultural Context of Descartes

The Renaissance was a time of crisis, imbalance, and anxiety. It was a restless century searching for new solutions to serious problems. Europe was a continent broken by war, and the resulting mood found its expression in the Baroque.

Socio-Economic Realities

• Economy: Primarily agricultural; the population was threatened by hunger and decreased alarmingly.
• Life Expectancy: The average was only 25–30 years.
• Social Structure: An estate society maintained by land ownership.
• Instability: Revolts were imminent, and civil war was a constant danger.

The Crisis of Reason

The seventeenth century faced a profound crisis of reason:

• Intellectual Shift: Universities decayed, shifting intellectual life to salons and academies.
• Philosophy: Scholastic philosophy lost its creative force.
• Science: The new science led to the collapse of the Aristotelian worldview.
• Nationalization: Philosophers began writing in their native languages, seeking originality.

The Baroque Worldview

From a cultural standpoint, the Baroque represents a crisis of sensitivity. In the great works of the era, one can discern the tragedies and threats of the time. Influenced by the Copernican revolution, the world became infinite and in constant motion, leaving man displaced from the center.

Everything is movement, change, and impermanence. Time became an obsession, and life was viewed as a dream or a theatrical performance. Amidst these doubts, Descartes sought certainty.

Proposed Solutions to the Crisis

1. Mercantilism

An attempt to address the economic crisis, arguing that a country's wealth lies in its gold and silver reserves. It is protectionist and serves the state.

2. Absolutism

The belief that absolute monarchy is the only way to guarantee peace and security. However, absolute monarchs often aggravated the crisis through continuous wars and clashes between the nobility and clergy.

3. Cultural and Social Control

Baroque art served as an apologetic tool for religious exaltation and monarchist propaganda. The monarchy utilized culture to manage the crisis and suppress public protests.