Grothendieck and Radical Ecology

Since 2016, we have been organizing a series of study days
generically titled “Condorcet Days.” These events, which
focus on current issues, are distinguished by their rational and reasoned approach
. The topical nature of these issues must not, in fact,
serve as a pretext for subjecting them to partisan oversimplifications and shortcuts.
This year, we wish to dedicate Condorcet Day to an
important anniversary: the 10th anniversary of the passing of mathematician Alexandre
Grothendieck.

Grothendieck, a leading figure in mathematics and a staunch anarchist
, left behind a rich and profound intellectual legacy. Among his
notable contributions, which remain little known, is his commitment to
radical ecology, a movement that, long before widespread awareness
, questioned the very foundations of science and its role in
our society.

Our day of reflection will focus on exploring this particular “
” aspect 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 “Survive and Live” 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 activist actions, the case of Alexandre Grothendieck’s
commitment raises questions. It is possible that the unique relationship the discipline allows
to maintain with reality—particularly in its interactions with techniques and technologies—played a crucial role in this awakening of consciousness.

By shedding light on the deep roots of this movement—which predate today’s debates on ecological crises—we hope to spark a thought-provoking discussion about our relationship with science and technology. This day of reflection will therefore serve as an opportunity for dialogue and debate, bringing together experts from diverse backgrounds for an in-depth and nuanced exploration of these issues that are so crucial to 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