Tweet

Massimiliano Simons

9 Aug, 7 tweets, 3 min read

https://twitter.com/MassSimons/status/1385569038521315329

As promised, a thread that collects all my threads about the history of French philosophy of science. I will add more in the future. It all started with a thread on Léon Brunschvicg #histsci #philsci #hopos 1/

https://twitter.com/MassSimons/status/1385569038521315329

https://twitter.com/MassSimons/status/1399265344355717122

I also did one on Émile Meyerson 2/

https://twitter.com/MassSimons/status/1399265344355717122

https://twitter.com/MassSimons/status/1389914000503283713

I am doing a series on history of French positivism, starting with Auguste Comte 3/

https://twitter.com/MassSimons/status/1389914000503283713

https://twitter.com/MassSimons/status/1393135698178453508

Followed by Abel Rey 4/

https://twitter.com/MassSimons/status/1393135698178453508

https://twitter.com/MassSimons/status/1402906027675242496

Also one on Marcel Boll 5/

https://twitter.com/MassSimons/status/1402906027675242496

https://twitter.com/MassSimons/status/1413058921233780736

And one on Charles-Ernest Vouillemin 6/

https://twitter.com/MassSimons/status/1413058921233780736

https://twitter.com/MassSimons/status/1437707842966933507?s=20

Next, a thread on the fascinating figure of Louis Rougier, linked to a publication: journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/71…

https://twitter.com/MassSimons/status/1437707842966933507?s=20

• • •

Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

Twitter may remove this content at anytime! Save it as PDF for later use!

More from @MassSimons

Massimiliano Simons

@MassSimons

14 Sep

Let me continue with my journey throughout French positivism! Today: Louis Rougier. Fascinating figure who brought logical positivism to France; laid the foundation of neoliberalism; and participated in secret diplomatic missions between Vichy-France and the UK during WWII 🧵 1/

Louis Rougier (1889 – 1982) is more or less forgotten. This despite (or because) the controversies during his lifetime; typically seen as far-right figure, mainly due to his connections with the Vichy Regime in WWII and later with the New Right in France (e.g. GRECE) 2/

@MasiglioFicino

Together with @MasiglioFicino, I published an article on Rougier in @hoposjournal where we correct this view. it is misleading to label him as ideologically right-wing. Instead, we highlight the history of his projects that led him to that route. 3/ journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/71…

Read 29 tweets

Massimiliano Simons

@MassSimons

5 May

Currently reading some French positivism. Given the current ‘rediscovery’ of the political program of positivism of the Vienna Circle, it is important not to forget that French positivism also existed. Let me start today with Auguste Comte! A short thread. #philsci #hopos 1/

Positivism has always been political. Auguste Comte, the ‘father’ of positivism, introduced concept for political goal: to offer an alternative political program, avoiding both conservatism and the excesses of the revolutionaries (writing just after the French Revolution). 2/

Comte's main point was that French revolutionaries were not historical enough: they thought one could impose blueprint of utopian society on the world. But a vibrant industrial society had its own dynamics and laws. These could only be explored through historical examination. 3/

Read 14 tweets

Massimiliano Simons

@MassSimons

23 Apr

https://twitter.com/MassSimons/status/1385491418739789824?s=20

So, as promised: why Brunschvicg claimed “Aristotle had the mental age of an 8-year old.” This was not just a random insult, but highlights a complex, yet forgotten research program in early 20th century French philosophy of science. A thread... 1/17

https://twitter.com/MassSimons/status/1385491418739789824?s=20

Short answer: Jean Piaget! Psychology had a central role in early 20C French #philsci, an aspect that disappeared after WWII, when structuralism took over. Let's have closer look.. 2/

Let me start by saying something about Brunschvicg. Though forgotten now, he was one of the most influential French philosophers at the beginning of 20C. He competed with Henri Bergson for the title, and was typically seen as his ‘rationalist’ opponent. 3/