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Arise Quote by Rene Descartes

“As I considered the matter carefully it gradually came to light that all those matters only were referred to mathematics in which order and measurements are investigated, and that it makes no difference whether it be in numbers, figures, stars, sounds or any other object that the question of…” quote by Rene Descartes
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“As I considered the matter carefully it gradually came to light that all those matters only were referred to mathematics in which order and measurements are investigated, and that it makes no difference whether it be in numbers, figures, stars, sounds or any other object that the question of measurement arises. I saw consequently that there must be some general science to explain that element as a whole which gives rise to problems about order and measurement, restricted as these are to no special subject matter. This, I perceived was called 'universal mathematics'.”

Rene Descartes

About This Quote

Source Manuscript: unpublished notes, early 17th century

Universal mathematics seeks a single science of order and measurement across all domains.

In simple terms: A single science can measure everything.

Key Takeaway

Explore interdisciplinary measurement.

Themes

measurement order universality

Mood

inquisitive analytical

Type

philosophical scientific

When to use this quote

  • science research
  • engineering
  • art
  • education

Key Concepts

philosophy mathematics ontology

Questions to Reflect On

  • Can all fields be unified by measurement?
  • What limits a universal math?
A Different Perspective

Complex phenomena may resist a single framework.

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