La relation entre Diderot et D'Alembert: regards croisés sur leurs écrits de mathématiques

This study explores the relationship between the two Encyclopaedists based on Diderot's mathematical writings ("Mémoires" and "Écrits divers"). It opens with some palimpsests about their respective training and studies concerning Diderot's production in this field of specialisation. It then moves on to the analysis of Diderot's "Mémoires" and ends with "La Lettre sur les probabilités". If for D'Alembert mathematics is a profession in its own right, for Diderot it represents something different. More generally, Diderot considers the process of abstraction as a possible source of error, whereas D'Alembert supports exactly the opposite thesis, in the sense that he advocates the scientific method based on pure abstraction. Diderot is not interested in mathematics or mechanics as such, but as instruments of knowledge necessary for the diffusion of arts and crafts. By following several tracks, our analysis restores a balance between the importance of D'Alembert's philosophical argument and Diderot's interest in Mathematics in relation to the mechanical arts.