The Cartesian Theory of Eternal Truths and the Rise of Modern Philosophy

• Grant number: 15/17758-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: April 01, 2016
• End date: February 28, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Philosophy - History of Philosophy
• Principal Investigator: Homero Silveira Santiago
• Grantee: Alfredo Gatto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research project is aimed to analyze the critical reception that accompanied the Cartesian theory of the free creation of eternal truths, with particular regards to Leibniz, Malebranche and Spinoza. These authors, in fact, dealing critically with Descartes's doctrine, tried to find an alternative to the radical contingency evoked by the French philosopher. Their reflections can be then interpreted as a metaphysical answer to the implications of the Cartesian theory. Since Descartes's doctrine of eternal truths was refused and criticized by almost all Modern Philosophy, the conviction that will orient this investigation is that the Modernity can be considered as an attempt to cope with the consequences of this theory. Thus, this project aims to reconstruct this debate, with the idea that, in this way, it will be possible to originally contribute to the studies dedicated to the birth of Modern Philosophy. Thanks to this hermeneutical key, it will be provided a new interpretation of both Descartes's thought and the process which led to the foundation and the development of Modern Philosophy.