Pierre Gassendi. Pierre Eugene Marcellin Berthelot

Pierre Gassendi(Pierre Gassendi) (1592-1655), French philosopher and scientist, famous for his propaganda Epicureanism and atomism and an attempt to reconcile them with Christianity. Born in Chantersiers near Digne in Provence on January 22, 1592. The surname Gassendi is the Italian form of the Provençal surname Gassend. He held minor church positions in 1612, became a doctor of theology in Avignon in 1614; was also rector of the cathedral at Digne. At the insistence Mersenne took up philosophy and was a professor of philosophy at the College of Aix-en-Provence.

In 1624 he published a series of essays in Grenoble entitled “Paradoxical Exercises against the Aristotelians” (“Exercitationes paradoxicae adversus Aristoteleos”), where he stated that, although he was obliged by his position to teach Aristotelian philosophy, he was always interested in the question of its weaknesses. Having stopped polemics with the scholastics, because of which he could have enemies in church circles, he turned to studying Epicurus. In 1626, Pierre Gassendi came up with the idea of ​​a work on the life, moral ideas and teachings of Epicurus. He was convinced that the teachings of the ancient philosopher could be consistent with contemporary theology. In 1632, Gassendi published a work on the transit of the planet Mercury predicted Kepler, and in 1641 he tried to experimentally prove the theory of falling bodies Galilee. However, Gassendi's main contribution to cultural history was his philosophy.

In 1641, Gassendi wrote in response to the Meditations Descartes a series of objections, the essence of which was that philosophical speculation should be more modest. His book Disquisitio Metaphysica (Disquisitio Metaphysica) was published in 1644. In 1645, Gassendi received a position as professor of mathematics (astronomy) at the College Royal in Paris. The inauguration lecture (“Institutio astronomica”, 1647), although it did not openly show adherence to Galileo’s ideas, testified to sympathy for them. In 1647, his work “On the Life and Moral Views of Epicurus” (“De vita et moribus Epicuri”) appeared, which changed the general opinion about Epicurus’s ethics. In 1648, suffering from tuberculosis, Gassendi left for Provence. In 1649 he published "Animadversiones in decimum librum Diogenis Laertii" (on Epicurus) together with the "Code of Epicurus's Philosophy" ("Syntagma philosophiae Epicuri"). In 1653 he returned to Paris. Pierre Gassendi died in Paris on October 24, 1655.

The complete collection of his works was published in 1658. The first two volumes contain the “Code of Philosophy” (“Syntagma Philosophicum”, published posthumously in 1658), consisting of three parts: logic, physics (general natural science, cosmology, physiology, psychology) and ethics. Logic is primarily an inductive method of inquiry; however, in it Gassendi tries to establish a balance between experience and reason. Physics is dedicated to describing the world (consisting of atoms and emptiness) created by God, the existence of which is proven by the presence of world harmony. God is the first cause; all secondary causes relate to motion, which is inherent in atoms. The most mobile atoms make up the souls of animals capable of sensation and “sensitive intelligence.” The human soul is immaterial and is capable of comprehending abstract ideas based on sensory data. People strive for happiness (peace of mind and absence of bodily suffering), which can be achieved (in this world - only in an imperfect form) through a virtuous lifestyle and love for God.

Pierre Gassendi (1592-1655) - French philosopher, mathematician and astronomer. He also worked in the field of mechanics and history of science. He promoted atomism and the ethics of Epicurus, in contrast to whom he recognized the creation of atoms by God. From the standpoint of sensationalism, he opposed the doctrine of innate ideas. Main work: “Code of Philosophy” (published 1658, posthumously).

We have the power not so much to protect ourselves from mistakes as not to persist in error.

Gassendi Pierre

She was a priest, professor of theology in Digne (from 1613), philosophy in Aix (from 1616), and mathematics at the Royal College in Paris (from 1645). Promoting the atomism and ethics of the ancient Greek materialist philosopher Epicurus, he objected to the theory of innate ideas and the entire metaphysics of Rene Descartes from the standpoint of materialistic sensationalism, and in a special work he criticized scholastic Aristotelianism.

In philosophy, one should take great care of words, precisely so that there is no eternal dispute about the meaning.

Gassendi Pierre

Gassendi's philosophical system consists of logic (which establishes the signs of truth and the paths leading to its knowledge), physics and ethics (the doctrine of happiness). According to his teaching, everything that exists consists of atoms and emptiness and is located in space, as an endless possibility of filling, and time; time and space were not created by anyone and cannot be destroyed, unlike atoms, which, according to Gassendi, were created by God, but have an independent internal desire to move; the number of atoms is limited, although huge. The soul consists of special atoms dispersed throughout the body. The basis of cognition is the readings of the senses (sensations).

Karl Marx noted that, having freed Epicurus “... from the interdict imposed on him by the fathers of the church and the whole Middle Ages...”, Pierre Gassendi at the same time sought to “... reconcile his Catholic conscience with his pagan knowledge, Epicurus - with the church" (Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, From Early Works, 1956, p. 23).

If we really know something, we know it through the study of mathematics.

Gassendi Pierre

Gassendi influenced the English philosopher, the founder of liberalism, John Locke; French publicist and philosopher Pierre Bayle and English mathematician, mechanic, astronomer and physicist, creator of classical mechanics Isaac Newton. In terms of political views, Paul aligned himself with the French political thinker, natural law theorist, and lawyer Jean Bodin, and stood for an unlimited monarchy, if it does not degenerate into tyranny.

Is honey sweet? I find it sweet. But do I know that honey is truly sweet by itself? Here I confess that I don’t know.

Gassendi Pierre

Literature: Bykhovsky B.E., Pierre Gassendi and French materialism of the 17th century, “Scientific tr. Moscow State Economic Institute", 1957, c. 1: Pendzig P., P. Gassendi Metaphysik und ihr Verhältnis zur scholastischen Philosophie, Bonn, 1908; Rochot B., Les travaux de Gassendi sur Epicure et sur l "atomisme, P., 1944; Pierre Gassendi 1592 - 1655. Sa vie et son oeuvre, P., .

exponent of anti-scholastic sensationalism and epicureanism of the New Age. Coming from a peasant family, he graduated from the university in Aix-en-Provence, but later throughout his entire subsequent life he was a clergyman. At that time, he received a broad philosophical and scientific education and was fond of mathematics and astronomy. He knew many intellectuals of his time, including the Mersenne circle. He wrote several philosophical works, including against Descartes: “Objections to Metaphysical Meditations,” and when Descartes responded to them, Gassendi wrote new “Objections.” He also wrote “Paradoxical Exercises Against the Aristotelians...” and “The Code of the Philosophy of Epicurus.” Gassendi's most important work is System of Philosophy. In his works, Gassendi actively opposes scholastic philosophizing, which gives nothing. Paying tribute to the depth of Aristotle's thinking, he criticizes the ideas of Aristotle, from whom the scholastics made an idol, and believes that the importance of Aristotle is exaggerated. Gassendi fought against dogmatism, believing that through the experimental-deductive path we achieve relative truths. He defends the position of sensationalism: there is nothing in the mind that was not previously in the sensations. For Gassendi, only feelings are the criterion for the truth of our knowledge, and reason is the mediating link between sensations. Error occurs when the mind acts incorrectly. For Gassendi, even an analytical proposition (for example, “the whole is greater than the part”) is empirical. From these positions, Gassendi opposed Descartes' rationalism, believing that Descartes failed to prove the evidence and self-sufficiency of the human mind. He wrote in “New Objections to Descartes’ Replies”: “Knowing about the mind only that it is a thinking thing, you are like a blind man, knowing about the Sun only that it is a warming thing” [Op. T. 2. P. 760]. Gassendi opposed the doctrine of Cartesius (Descartes) about the innateness of ideas. He believed that even mathematical concepts have an experimental origin, and the clarity and distinctness that Descartes referred to to show the innateness of geometric axioms is just a fallacy, since over time, those ideas that at first seem clear can later turn out to be vague. Gassendi tried to revive the philosophy of Epicurus. In this endeavor, he was guided mainly by the desire to rehabilitate Epicureanism in the face of Christianity. Therefore, central to Gassendi’s teachings are his ethical views. He believes that Epicure's doctrine of hedonism has been misinterpreted. First of all, this concerns the concept of pleasure, which should be understood not as sensual pleasure, but as the desire for happiness. The main virtue that a person should follow is prudence. This leads to Gassendi’s main conclusion: “The philosophy of happiness is nothing more than a philosophy of health” [Op. T. 1. P. 318]. Gassendi considers the main condition for a happy life to be the absence of fear of death, believing that it is necessary to proceed from the position: death cannot cause suffering either to the living or to the dead.

In his works, Gassendi actively opposes scholastic philosophizing, which gives nothing. While paying tribute to the depth of Aristotle's thinking, he criticizes his ideas, since he believes that Aristotle's importance is exaggerated and that the scholastics made an idol out of him.

Gassendi fought against dogmatism, believing that through experimental deductive means we achieve relative truths. He defends the position of sensationalism: there is nothing in the mind that was not previously in the sensations. For Gassendi, only feelings are the criterion for the truth of our knowledge, and reason is the mediating link between sensations. Error occurs when the mind acts incorrectly. For Gassendi, even an analytical proposition (for example, “the whole is greater than the part”) is empirical.

From these positions, Gassendi opposed Descartes' rationalism, believing that Descartes failed to prove the evidence and self-sufficiency of the human mind. He wrote in “New Objections to Descartes’ Replies”: “Knowing about the mind only that it is a thinking thing, you are like a blind man who knows about the Sun only that it is a warming thing” [Op. M., 1968. T. 2. P. 760].

Gassendi opposed the doctrine of Cartesius (Descartes) about the innateness of ideas. He believed that even mathematical concepts have an experimental origin, and the clarity and distinctness that Descartes referred to to show the innateness of geometric axioms is just a fallacy, since over time, those ideas that at first seem clear can later turn out to be vague.

Gassendi tried to revive the philosophy of Epicurus. In this endeavor, he was guided mainly by the desire to rehabilitate Epicureanism in the face of Christianity. Therefore, central to Gassendi’s teachings are his ethical views. He believes that Zpikur's doctrine of hedonism has been misinterpreted. First of all, this concerns the concept of pleasure, which should be understood not as sensual pleasure, but as the desire for happiness. The main virtue that a person should follow is prudence. This leads to Gassendi’s main conclusion: “The philosophy of happiness is nothing more than a philosophy of health” [Op. M., 1966. T. 1. P. 317]. Gassendi considers the main condition for a happy life to be the absence of fear of death, believing that it is necessary to proceed from the position: death cannot cause suffering either to the living or to the dead.

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GASSENDI, Pierre

French materialist philosopher, mathematician and astronomer Pierre Gassendi was born in Chantersiers, Provence. Thanks to his outstanding abilities, at the age of 16 he was already a teacher of rhetoric in the city of Digne in France. Here he took holy orders and became an abbot. Professor of theology in Digne (from 1613), philosophy in Aix (from 1616). He structured his philosophy course in such a way that he first presented the teachings of Aristotle, and then showed its fallacy. The discoveries of Copernicus and the writings of Giordano Bruno finally convinced Gassendi of the unsuitability of Aristotelian physics and astronomy. Gassendi devoted his essay “Exercitationes paradoxicae adversus Aristoteleos” (Grenoble, 1627) to criticism of the Aristotelian system; he had to refuse to finish this work, since it was unsafe to attack Aristotle and defend Copernicus at that time. In particular, in the decree of the Paris Parliament of September 4, 1624, caused by an attempt to organize a public debate about the corpuscular theory at the University of Paris, it was prohibited, under penalty of death, “to approve and teach provisions directed against ancient and recognized authors and to organize debates without the approval of doctors of theology faculty." Even before the publication of his book, Gassendi left the department and lived either in Digne, where he was a canon of the cathedral, or in Paris, from where he traveled to Belgium and Holland. In 1645 he became a professor of mathematics at the Royal College in Paris.

Promoting the atomism and ethics of Epicurus, Gassendi objected to the theory of innate ideas and the entire metaphysics of R. Descartes from the standpoint of materialistic sensationalism. Gassendi's philosophical system consists of logic (which establishes the signs of truth and the paths leading to its knowledge), physics and ethics (the doctrine of happiness). According to the teachings of Gassendi, everything that exists consists of atoms and emptiness and is located in space, as an endless possibility of filling, and time; time and space were not created by anyone and cannot be destroyed, unlike atoms, which, according to Gassendi, were created by God. The number of atoms and their forms is finite and constant (therefore the amount of matter is constant), but the number of forms is less than the number of atoms. The difference between atoms (except for shape) lies in the difference in their main property - weight or innate internal desire to move. Atoms continuously move in the void and collide with each other. Bodies do not consist of primary atoms, but of their compounds, which Gassendi called “molecules” (from the word moles - “mass”). Grouping, atoms form all the bodies of the universe and are, therefore, the cause not only of the qualities of bodies, but also of their movement; they determine all the forces of nature. Since atoms are neither born nor destroyed, the amount of living force in nature remains unchanged. When the body is at rest, the force does not disappear, but only remains bound, and when it begins to move, the force is not born, but only released. Action at a distance does not exist, and if one body attracts another without touching it, then this can be explained in such a way that streams of atoms emanate from the first and come into contact with the atoms of the second. According to Gassendi, not only material bodies, but also “weightless fluids,” in particular heat and light, also consist of atoms. The soul, according to Gassendi, consists of special atoms distributed throughout the body. The basis of cognition is the readings of the senses (sensations).

Gassendi's philosophy, in particular his atomistic teaching, was in some respects an attempt to reconcile materialist ideas about matter and space with religion. Gassendi sought a compromise between the assumption of the eternity of space and atoms and the existence of God who created them. Gassendi's atomic doctrine was generally favorably accepted by naturalists of the 17th century. Many of them, including

Pierre Gassendi (1592-1655) - French philosopher, mathematician and astronomer. He also worked in the field of mechanics and history of science. He promoted atomism and the ethics of Epicurus, in contrast to whom he recognized the creation of atoms by God. From the standpoint of sensationalism, he opposed the doctrine of innate ideas. Main work: “Code of Philosophy” (published 1658, posthumously).

We have the power not so much to protect ourselves from mistakes as not to persist in error.

Gassendi Pierre

She was a priest, professor of theology in Digne (from 1613), philosophy in Aix (from 1616), and mathematics at the Royal College in Paris (from 1645). Promoting the atomism and ethics of the ancient Greek materialist philosopher Epicurus, he objected to the theory of innate ideas and the entire metaphysics of Rene Descartes from the standpoint of materialistic sensationalism, and in a special work he criticized scholastic Aristotelianism.

In philosophy, one should take great care of words, precisely so that there is no eternal dispute about the meaning.

Gassendi Pierre

Gassendi's philosophical system consists of logic (which establishes the signs of truth and the paths leading to its knowledge), physics and ethics (the doctrine of happiness). According to his teaching, everything that exists consists of atoms and emptiness and is located in space, as an endless possibility of filling, and time; time and space were not created by anyone and cannot be destroyed, unlike atoms, which, according to Gassendi, were created by God, but have an independent internal desire to move; the number of atoms is limited, although huge. The soul consists of special atoms dispersed throughout the body. The basis of cognition is the readings of the senses (sensations).

Karl Marx noted that, having freed Epicurus “... from the interdict imposed on him by the fathers of the church and the whole Middle Ages...”, Pierre Gassendi at the same time sought to “... reconcile his Catholic conscience with his pagan knowledge, Epicurus - with the church" (Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, From Early Works, 1956, p. 23).

If we really know something, we know it through the study of mathematics.

Gassendi Pierre

Gassendi influenced the English philosopher, the founder of liberalism, John Locke; French publicist and philosopher Pierre Bayle and English mathematician, mechanic, astronomer and physicist, creator of classical mechanics Isaac Newton. In terms of political views, Paul aligned himself with the French political thinker, natural law theorist, and lawyer Jean Bodin, and stood for an unlimited monarchy, if it does not degenerate into tyranny.

Is honey sweet? I find it sweet. But do I know that honey is truly sweet by itself? Here I confess that I don’t know.

Gassendi Pierre

Literature: Bykhovsky B.E., Pierre Gassendi and French materialism of the 17th century, “Scientific tr. Moscow State Economic Institute", 1957, c. 1: Pendzig P., P. Gassendi Metaphysik und ihr Verhältnis zur scholastischen Philosophie, Bonn, 1908; Rochot B., Les travaux de Gassendi sur Epicure et sur l "atomisme, P., 1944; Pierre Gassendi 1592 - 1655. Sa vie et son oeuvre, P., .

Pierre Gassendi - quotes

Time is a contingent quality of things: this is clear first of all from the fact that it is not something that exists in itself, but is only attributed to things by thinking or reason, since things are thought from the point of view of whether they are able to continue to be preserved or should cease to exist. existence, whether their life can be more or less long, and whether they have, had or will have existence.