French word

cartésien

Pronunciation

IPA/kaʁtezjɛ̃/

Meaning

  • adjectiveCartesian

Example

Cette idée est cartésienne.

This idea is Cartesian.

Illustration for cartésien (Cartesian)

More examples

Son discours est cartésien.

His speech is Cartesian.

Core concept

An analytical outlook associated with Descartes and extended to methodical, reasoned thinking.

Common phrases

  • esprit cartésien

    Cartesian mindset

  • point de vue cartésien

    Cartesian point of view

Similar words

logique: Reaching conclusions through clear and consistent reasoning.
méthodique: Working carefully through a fixed method and logical order.
objectif: Assessing situations objectively, without letting personal feelings intervene.

Definition in French

Qui se rapporte à René Descartes, à sa philosophie ou, par extension, à une approche fondée sur la raison et l'analyse.

Word origin

Cartésien is a learned French derivative of Cartesius, the Latin form of René Descartes' name, with the suffix -ien.

Usage tips

  • Applied to a person, cartésien can suggest orderly logic but may also imply limited attention to emotion, depending on context.

Opposites

  • intuitifintuitiveadjective
  • empiriqueempiricaladjective

Word lists with this word