Cartesian method of observation

The method of observing the world as if it were a machine, separating the observer from the observed, leading to mechanistic knowledge.

Neighborhood — ranked by edge-count

Thinkers (1)

thinker

René Descartes
studies
17th-century philosopher and mathematician, co-inventor of the mechanistic world-picture, treating matter as inert geometric substance.

Methods (1)

method

Alexander's method of observation based on inner feeling
extends
An empirical method that invites the observer to make distinctions based on inner feelings of wholeness, with a framework that guarantees consistency and objectivity.

Related by similarity (8)

cosine ≥ 0.65 · no typed edge

Entities in the same semantic neighborhood but without a typed relation to this one — candidates for new edges or unrecognized duplicates.

Cartesian Method of Scientific Observationframework0.935
The dominant scientific paradigm Alexander seeks to supplement: observation of limited machine-like events from an external, self-excluded standpoint
Post-Cartesian Method of Observationframework0.890
The core framework introduced in this chapter: using the observer's experienced inner wholeness as an objective measuring instrument for the degree of life in external systems
Cartesian Methodframework0.882
The scientific method that requires observation by any observer and excludes subjective states, argued to be inadequate for measuring life.
The Cartesian method of observation, by forbidding inclusion of the observer's self, systematically excludes awareness of the different degrees of life in spaceclaim0.853
Alexander's critique of Cartesian epistemology as structurally incapable of perceiving living structure
Cartesian Viewconcept0.825
The worldview Alexander is critiquing: objective structure of the world is separate from human feeling and happiness
Post-Cartesian Viewconcept0.818
Alexander's proposed alternative: wholeness of the world and feeling of happiness together form a single unity
The post-Cartesian second method of observation is consistent with and complementary to the Cartesian first method, each suited to different domainsclaim0.813
Alexander's reconciliation: Cartesian method for machine-like phenomena, wholeness method for relative wholeness judgments
The observations presented throughout these four books are based on a method of observation which is entirely different from the Cartesian method.claim0.806
Alexander claims his method is a genuine alternative to Cartesian observation.