Recherches sur Diderot et sur l'Encyclopédie - Année 1990 - Volume 9 - Numéro 1 - Pages 109-146Michel Malherbe: Mathematics and Physical Sciences in the Encyclopédie «Discours préliminaire». A comparison of the thought of Diderot and D'Alembert on mathematics and the physical sciences, using Diderot's «Prospectus», which shows the hastily, digested influence of Bacon, and the « Discours préliminaire » of the Encyclopédie, as well as later writings. Although using the same arguments and discussing the same problems, the texts reveal a fundamental difference between Diderot and D'Alembert concerning science and philosophy, which reflect the reality of scientific thought in 1750. While D'Alembert bases himself on abstraction and mathematic science, Diderot is both more old-fashioned and open in his faith in experimental philosophy. They had however enough in common to collaborate on the project of the Encyclopédie. 38 pages Source : Persée ; Ministère de la jeunesse, de l’éducation nationale et de la recherche, Direction de l’enseignement supérieur, Sous-direction des bibliothèques et de la documentation.