Cycle 15 · 13 Apr 2026Language and thought: the case of Lavoisier- 36:58The mathematician leaves behind the ambiguities of words for a language of signs, univocal, where one advances safely.
Mathematical discourse
Worked through in 5 videos · 6 passages.
Summary
Dominique Pagani distinguishes mathematical discourse from language: it is discursive without being a language, because it excludes metaphor and remains univocal. The mathematician leaves behind the ambiguities of words for a language of signs in which one advances in safety1. He sees in it the origin of a split specific to Western thought: an epistemic discourse that renounces ordinary language, as when the notion of weight replaces the qualities of heavy and light2. He holds mathematics to be the hard science par excellence, but not a science of nature: it is the logic of the arbitrary object3. He situates philosophy in relation to this model. The philosopher seeks the same rigour, but with everyday words, and philosophy has no need of mathematical formalisation4. Formalisation nonetheless remains central within mathematical discourse itself.
- 1Language and thought: the case of Lavoisier13 Apr 2026 · 36:58
- 2What is to be done? 2/329 Jan 2016 · 50:16
- 3#9 Benefits and harms of amnesia…17 Dec 2020 · 39:40
- 4#9 Benefits and harms of amnesia…17 Dec 2020 · 1:46:12
Summary produced automatically from 6 of the passages below, to be reviewed; the numbers link to the moment in the session.
Cycle 15 · 13 Apr 2026Language and thought: the case of Lavoisier
Cycle 9.1 · 17 Dec 2020#9 Benefits and harms of amnesia…
Cycle 6 · 23 Oct 2019#6.1 The logic of the subject- 1:36:40It is not a language but a discourse; mathematical formalization plays a central role in it.
Cycle 2 · 15 Feb 2016#2.1 Between crisis and war: philosophising?- 1:31:43Discursive but not a language: without metaphor, univocal; the philosopher seeks this rigor with everyday words.
Series · 29 Jan 2016What is to be done? 2/3- 50:16A split within Western thought: an epistemic discourse that gives up ordinary language, as weight replaces heavy and light.