Jean DAlembert
France- Biography of Jean d'Alembert
- Early Life and Education
- Contributions to the "Encyclopedia"
- Philosophical Views
- Notable Works
- Later Years and Decline
Biography of Jean d'Alembert
Jean Le Rond d'Alembert, a French philosopher, mathematician, and physicist, was one of the creators of the "Encyclopedia." Despite being born in poverty, d'Alembert became a renowned figure in French science and a source of pride for the nation. He was named after a small church where he was abandoned by his mother and was then raised by the wife of a poor glassmaker.
Early Life and Education
Although his mentors wished for him to become a lawyer or a doctor, d'Alembert pursued a career in mathematics and philosophy. He defied societal expectations and established himself as a mathematician and philosopher. Throughout his life, he maintained a deep gratitude towards the glassmaker and his wife, considering them his true parents. He made sure they were taken care of and referred to them with pride.
Contributions to the "Encyclopedia"
Jean Le Rond d'Alembert played a crucial role in the creation of the "Encyclopedia" and served as one of its editors. He began collaborating with Denis Diderot in 1751, and the first volume was published in 1751-1752. D'Alembert wrote the introduction to the "Encyclopedia," which is considered one of the most brilliant examples of scientific writing.
Philosophical Views
In philosophy, d'Alembert was a proponent of sensationalism and opposed René Descartes' theory of innate ideas. However, his sensationalism did not adhere strictly to materialism. According to d'Alembert, thinking is not a property of matter, and the soul has an existence independent of matter. In contrast to other French Enlightenment thinkers, he argued that morality is not determined by societal environment. D'Alembert recognized God as a forming substance.
Notable Works
One of d'Alembert's significant works in philosophy is "Elements of Philosophy" (1759), in which he classified sciences based on Francis Bacon's system, laying the foundation for the modern concept of humanities. In his "Treatise on Dynamics" (1758), he presented his principle of considering mechanical systems with constraints, reducing any problem in dynamics to one of equilibrium.
Later Years and Decline
In 1754, d'Alembert was elected to the French Academy, a prestigious honor. However, in 1757, he left the editorial board of the "Encyclopedia." In the mid-1760s, he declined an offer from Russian Empress Catherine II to become the tutor of the heir to the throne. Despite this decline, d'Alembert's contributions to mathematics, philosophy, and the Enlightenment era remain significant.
