NOCTUA
La tradizione filosofica dall’antico al moderno
History of Philosophy from the Ancient to the Modern Age
Autore / Author: Marco Storni
Affiliazione / Author affiliation: École Normale Supérieure, Paris – Università di Bologna
Titolo / Title: Maupertuis et le mathématisme philosophique
Abstract: One of the greatest philosophical controversies of the eighteenth century was the competition organized in 1746 by the Berlin Academy of Sciences. Although the specific object of the competition was the theory of monads, this particular question nevertheless referred to a deeper and more radical opposition between the two contending parties, Newtonians and Wolffians. In this contribution, we will first focus on the reasons for Newtonian opposition to Wolff’s philosophy. In this context, particular attention will be paid to the positions of Euler and Maupertuis. We will then proceed to a comparison between the positions of Wolff and Maupertuis on the crucial question of the relationship between mathematical and philosophical method. Our analysis will attempt to show the existence, in Maupertuis’s thought, of an effort to apply the mathematical method to disciplines other than mathematics itself, which will allow us to determine his opposition to Wolffian philosophy. Finally, we will clarify the affinities and divergences between Wolff and Maupertuis, trying to show that the real reasons for their opposition should be sought in their respective epistemologies and metaphysics.
Keywords: Berlin Academy of Sciences; mathematics; metaphysics; Pierre Louis Moreau de Maupertuis; Christian Wolff.
DOI: 10.14640/NoctuaIV4
Anno / Volume: IV
Fascicolo / Issue: 1-2
Pagine / Pages: 91-123
Pubblicazione / Publication date: 15/06/2017
Permalink: https://dx.doi.org/10.14640/NoctuaIV4
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ISSN 2284-1180