Grothendieck and radical ecology

Since 2016, we have been involved in a series of study days
generically called "Condorcet Days." These Days, which
focus on current topics, are distinguished by their rational and reasoned approach
. The topical nature of these issues should not be
a pretext for reducing them to partisan simplifications and shortcuts.
This year, we would like the Journée Condorcet to be dedicated to an
important anniversary: the 10th anniversary of the death of mathematician Alexandre
Grothendieck.

Grothendieck, an eminent figure in mathematics and a staunch anarchist
, left behind a rich and profound intellectual legacy. Among his notable contributions, which are still little known, is his commitment to
radical ecology, a movement that, long before the general public became aware of it
, questioned the very foundations of science and its role in
our society.

Our day of reflection will focus on exploring this particular dimension
of Grothendieck's legacy: radical ecology and its critique of
science. We will examine in depth the philosophical,
political, scientific, and ethical foundations of this movement, seeking to
understand its implications for our understanding of the world and our
place within it. The "Survivre et vivre" movement, initiated in 1970 by
Grothendieck and other mathematicians, aims to challenge the
scientific "dogmas" that claim to know everything about our world.
Grothendieck himself denounced scientism in a text from Survivre et
Vivre – "The New Universal Church" – as a new form of
religion that claims to hold the absolute truth. While mathematicians rarely engage in militant action, Alexandre Grothendieck's commitment
raises questions. It is possible that the special relationship that the discipline allows
to maintain with reality, particularly in its relationship with techniques and technologies, played a crucial role in this awareness.

By highlighting the deep roots of this movement, which predate the current debates on ecological crises, we hope to stimulate thought-provoking reflection on our relationship with science and technology. This day of reflection will therefore be an opportunity for dialogue and debate, bringing together specialists from various fields for an in-depth and nuanced exploration of these crucial issues for our time.

The guests are:

• Igor BABOU Paris Cité University, LADYSS laboratory
• Nicolas BOULEAU École des Ponts ParisTech, CERMICS
• Pierre-Henri GOUYON Natural History Museum, ISyEB
• Joëlle LE MAREC Natural History Museum, PALOC
• Céline PESSIS AgroParisTech, SADAPT