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cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
with Chiles unusual electoral rules.
Harbingers of the ConcertacinsENSAYO
demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
government during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
galvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
might naturally weaken. In addition, the Concertacin, and even its component
parties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
over social issues, such as the legal status of divorce and access to birth
control. Finally, by the 2005 elections, the Concertacin will have held the
presidency and a majority in the Chamber of Deputies (the legislative house
elected bySOBRE
popular vote)
for 16 years. By the standards
of multiparty
EL NEWTONIANISMO
Y LA TEORA
DEL
coalitions anywhere, much less among Latin Americas presidential
EQUILIBRIO ECONMICO GENERAL DE ADAM SMITH*
systems, the Concertacin is geriatric, bearing the scars of miscellaneous
corruption charges against members, including the stripping of
parliamentary rights from five of Leonidas
the coalitions
deputies in 2002, and the
Montes
general disillusionment that goes with holding the reins of power for so
long. One might conclude, then, that the coalition is simply ready to expire.
Any of these forces, or some combination of them, could indeed
undermine the
Concertacin,
but we
do generalizada
not regard dethese
factors
as
En este
ensayo se cuestiona
la idea
que Adam
Smith
es un pionero
de la
teora general
de equilibrio
econmico.
Aun
necessarily devastating
to the
coalitions
survival
for a number
of reasons.
cuando
literaturaeconomy
acadmica
acertadamente
destaca
influencia
de
In the first place,
thelaChilean
has
come through
the la
last
five years
Newton
en
la
obra
de
Smith,
la
naturaleza
de
esta
influencia
ha
sido
in far better shape than that of any of its Southern Cone neighbors, and
malinterpretada.
En estas
pginas se
que Smith
fue un cuiemployment and
growth figures
rebounded
inmuestra
first months
of 2003.
The
lectorbedein
Newton.
Sin embargo
metodologa
de Newton
no
Concertacin dadoso
may well
a position
in 2005la to
claim credit
for good
necesariamente
conduce
a
una
nocin
de
equilibrio
como
la
de
la
economic stewardship. Next, many of the issues surrounding the nonteora
general
de
equilibrio
econmico.
La
interpretacin
que
hace
democratic legacy of the Pinochet era including the renowned
Smith de Newton obedece a una recepcin particular y distintivamente escocesa de la obra de Newton, a saber, la de los pensadores
de la Ilustracin Escocesa. Ellos no atribuyeron a Newton una meto-

LEONIDAS MONTES L. Ingeniero Civil Industrial, Licenciado en Filosofa, Magster en Ciencia Poltica (Pontificia Universidad Catlica de Chile); MPhil, Ph.D. en
Economa (Kings College, Universidad de Cambridge). Profesor de economa en la
Universidad Adolfo Ibez y miembro del Consejo Directivo del Centro de Estudios
Pblicos.
* On Adam Smiths Newtonianism and General Economic Equilibrium
Theory, publicado en L. Montes y E. Schliesser (ed.), New Voices on Adam Smith
(Londres: Routledge, 2006). Traduccin de Estudios Pblicos. Publicado en esta edicin
con la debida autorizacin.
Para las abreviaciones y referencias de las obras de Adam Smith, vase seccin
a) de la bibliografa al final del artculo.
Estudios Pblicos, 104 (primavera 2006).

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
ESTUDIOS PBLICOS
with 248
Chiles unusual electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
dologa axiomtico-deductiva. Se sugiere, entonces, que fue la tradigovernment during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
cin francesa, que interpret a Newton en el contexto del nfasis
galvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
cartesiano en la deduccin, la que adopta y adapta un newtonismo
1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
peculiar, promoviendo una metodologa similar a la de Walras, el
might naturally weaken. In addition, the Concertacin, and even its component
padre de la teora general de equilibrio econmico.
parties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
over social issues, such as the legal status of divorce and access to birth
control. Finally, by the 2005 elections, the Concertacin will have held the
presidency and anmajority
in the
Chamber of
Deputies
(the Society:
legislative
house
su clsica
e influyente
obra
Man and
The
Scottish
elected
by popular
vote) for 16
years.(1945),
By theGladys
standards
of multiparty
Inquiry
of the Eighteenth
Century
Bryson
llam nuestra
coalitions
anywhere,
much
less among
Latin de
Americas
presidential
atencin
respecto de
la evidente
importancia
Newton para
la Ilustracin
systems,
the Concertacin
is geriatric,
bearing
scars ofiniciada
miscellaneous
Escocesa,
vinculando esta
influencia
a unathe
tradicin
por Francis
corruption
charges
members,
including
the cierto
stripping
Bacon. Segn
ella,against
Adam Smith
ansioso
por imponer
ordenofen el
parliamentary
rightsdefrom
five of the sociales
coalitions
deputies
in 2002,
and the
catico mbito
los fenmenos
([1945]
1968:
20), piensa
que su
general
disillusionment
with sociales
holding the
reinspor
of el
power
for modelo
so
propia
contribucin that
a lasgoes
ciencias
se gua
exitoso
long.de
One
might conclude,
that the
coalition
is simply
to expire.
Newton.
Smith fue,then,
sin duda,
otro
heredero
de unaready
tradicin
intelectual
Any
of these
forces,
or some
combination
of them,
couldyindeed
que,
salvo
algunas
notables
excepciones,
veneraba
a Newton
su legado.
undermine
the Concertacin,
but we
do not
regard these
factorspara
as los
Los descubrimientos
de Newton
fueron
un paradigma
ineludible
necessarily
devastating
the coalitions
survival
for adel
number
of reasons.al inposteriores
avancestocientficos,
pero la
naturaleza
newtonianismo
In theterior
first de
place,
the Chilean
economy
hassiendo
come through
thedebate.
last five years
la Ilustracin
Escocesa
sigue
materia de
in far betterUna
shape
than that
of any ofdelitscontexto
SoutherndelCone
valoracin
intelectual
sigloneighbors,
XVIII, queand
estuvo
employment
and por
growth
figuresinfluencia
rebounded
first months
of 2003.
The
impregnado
la enorme
de in
Newton,
ha llevado
a importantes
Concertacin
maya well
be in
a position de
in 2005
claim Smith.
credit for
good
especialistas
evaluar
la influencia
ste ento Adam
Mark
Blaug,
economic
stewardship.
many
the issues econmico,
surroundingsostuvo
the nonuna autoridad
en laNext,
historia
del of
pensamiento
que el
democratic
legacy ofdethe
Pinochet
eraTeora
including
the renowned
papel fundamental
la simpata
en La
de los Sentimientos
Morales
(TSM) y del inters propio en La Riqueza de las Naciones (RN) deben ser
considerados como intentos deliberados de Smith por aplicar este mtodo
newtoniano primero a la tica y luego a la teora econmica ([1980] 1992:
52). Andrew Skinner, una autoridad en Adam Smith, tambin estima que la
teora econmica de Smith fue concebida originalmente a imagen de la
fsica newtoniana (1979: 110). A decir verdad, Adam Smith fue poderosamente influido por Newton. En consecuencia, segn lo interpretan algunos
economistas modernos, Smith aplic el mtodo de Newton a la economa
poltica, lo cual condujo a la formulacin de la teora del equilibrio econmico general. El uso de los trminos gravitacin y centro de reposo, empleados en el captulo 7 del libro primero de RN, Del precio natural y de
mercado de los bienes, aportan una sencilla prueba que sustentara esta
percepcin. La admiracin que Smith siente por Newton, adems de la descripcin atomstica y mecanicista que Newton hace del orden celestial,
constituiran una evidencia de que Smith inici la tradicin de la teora del
equilibrio econmico general basndose en las mismas preconcepciones

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www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
LEONIDAS
MONTES
249
with Chiles
unusual
electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
ontolgicas. En este ensayo cuestiono esa visin argumentando que es
government during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
acertado subrayar la influencia de Newton sobre Smith, pero por motivos
galvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
distintos. Si bien Smith fue un verdadero newtoniano, su metodologa no
1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
necesariamente conduce a una nocin de la teora del equilibrio econmico
might naturally weaken. In addition, the Concertacin, and even its component
general. Tampoco se funda enteramente en una metodologa axiomticoparties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
deductiva. Ella ha sido generalmente atribuida a Newton, pero el newtoniaover social
as the de
legal
of por
divorce
and access
to birthFueron
nismoissues,
no fuesuch
concebido
esastatus
manera
la Ilustracin
escocesa.
control.losFinally,
by the
2005adoptaron
elections,ythe
Concertacin
will have held
the
franceses
quienes
adaptaron
un newtonianismo
axiomticopresidency
and
a
majority
in
the
Chamber
of
Deputies
(the
legislative
house
deductivo fomentando el uso de una metodologa similar a la de Walras, el
electedverdadero
by popular
vote)
16 del
years.
By the
standards of multiparty
padre
de lafor
teora
equilibrio
econmico.
coalitions anywhere,
much
less
among
Latin
presidential
En la primera seccin demostrar queAmericas
la metodologa
de Newton es
systems,
the Concertacin
the scars of
mucho
ms complejaisy geriatric,
sutil de lobearing
que comnmente
se miscellaneous
piensa. Describir el
corruption
against
members,
including
the stripping
mtodocharges
newtoniano
de anlisis
(mtodo
de resolucin)
y sntesis of
(mtodo
parliamentary
rights
from
five
of
the
coalitions
deputies
in
2002,
and the
de composicin), lo mismo que su concepcin de un mtodo potencialmengeneraltedisillusionment
that goessucesiva.
with holding
the reinsseccin
of power
for soampliaabierto de aproximacin
En la segunda
analizar
long. One
might
conclude,
then,Smith
that the
coalition
is simply ready
to expire.
mente
la manera
en que
aborda
el pensamiento
de Newton,
con espeAnynfasis
of these
or some
of them,
couldhar
indeed
cial
en forces,
el captulo
7 decombination
RN. En la ltima
seccin
particular
undermine
the en
Concertacin,
we do notEscocesa.
regard these
factors
as intenhincapi
el contexto debut
la Ilustracin
Sostengo
que las
necessarily
devastating
to
the
coalitions
survival
for
a
number
of
reasons.
ciones de Smith en su ensayo History of Astronomy son consecuencia de
In the first
the Chilean
economy
come through
the last
years
una place,
interpretacin
particular
y has
claramente
escocesa
del five
pensamiento
de
in far Newton.
better shape
than that
of any
of its
Conefue
neighbors,
and intrPretendo
mostrar
no slo
queSouthern
Adam Smith
un esmerado
employment
growthsino
figures
rebounded
in firstlamonths
of 2003.
The
prete deand
Newton,
que adems
dominaba
metodologa
newtoniana
de
Concertacin
may well
in a position
2005 to claim
credit for
una manera
muy be
sofisticada.
Esta ininvestigacin
concluye
congood
una breve
reflexin
sobre enNext,
enfoque
en estetheensayo,
economic
stewardship.
manymetodolgico
of the issuesaplicado
surrounding
non- y su
importancia
para
comprensin
newtonianismo
Smith.
democratic
legacy
ofnuestra
the Pinochet
era del
including
the de
renowned
La metodologa de Newton
Tras leer algunos de los manuscritos de Newton, John Maynard
Keynes fue tal vez el primero en revelar la otra cara del padre de la ciencia
moderna. En 1936, en un remate efectuado en la Casa Sothebys, se vendieron a un precio bastante mdico 329 lotes de manuscritos de Newton, que
contenan cerca de 3 millones de palabras. Keynes se las ingeni para comprar y gradualmente reagrupar ms de un tercio de la coleccin (Spargo,
1992). Luego de evaluar esta evidencia de primera mano, en su obra pstuma Newton, the Man1, Keynes escribi: Newton no fue un adelantado en
1 Hasta donde yo s, este ensayo fue ledo pstumamente por sir Geoffrey
Keynes (hermano de John Maynard Keynes) en julio de 1946, dentro del marco de las
celebraciones del tricentenario del nacimiento de Newton que tuvieron lugar en el
Trinity College. Gleick (2003: 188) plantea que el ya difunto John Maynard Keynes
habra ledo este ensayo.

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impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
ESTUDIOS PBLICOS
with 250
Chiles unusual electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
la era de la razn. Fue el ltimo de los magos, el ltimo de los babilonios y
government during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
sumerios (Keynes, 1972: 364). Mientras la reputacin de Newton se bas
galvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
en sus descubrimientos cientficos en el rea de la mecnica, la cosmologa,
1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
la ptica y las matemticas, el hecho de que dedicara considerables energas
might naturally weaken. In addition, the Concertacin, and even its component
a estudiar la alquimia, la teologa, las profecas y la sabidura antigua simpleparties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
mente haba pasado inadvertido. Tras la publicacin del innovador ensayo
over social issues, such as the legal status of divorce and access to birth
de Keynes, diversas biografas han ofrecido una descripcin ms imparcial
control. Finally, by the 2005 elections,
the Concertacin will have held the
y objetiva del verdadero Newton2, lo cual ha generado un renovado inters
presidency and a majority in the Chamber of Deputies (the legislative house
por la ciencia privada de Newton.
elected by popular vote) for 16 years. By the standards of multiparty
Newton no slo era excepcionalmente versado en obras sobre alquicoalitions anywhere, much less among Latin Americas presidential
mia, sino adems un destacado practicante de la misma. Era tambin un
systems, the Concertacin is geriatric, bearing the scars of miscellaneous
voraz lector de las Sagradas Escrituras y de tratados teolgicos. Convencicorruption charges against members, including the stripping of
do de que los sabios antiguos conocan la ley de la gravitacin universal,
parliamentary rights from five of the coalitions deputies in 2002, and the
dedic gran parte de sus energas a estudiar las profecas en el Libro de
general disillusionment that goes with holding the reins of power for so
Daniel y en el Libro de la Revelacin. Hoy en da los especialistas convenlong. One might conclude, then, that the coalition is simply ready to expire.
dran en que las especulaciones de Newton acerca de la naturaleza de la
Any of these forces, or some combination of them, could indeed
materia podran haber sido influidas por sus conocimientos sobre alquimia,
undermine the Concertacin, but we do not regard these factors as
teologa y sabidura antigua. Como lo seal acertadamente Patricia Fara:
necessarily devastating to the coalitions survival for a number of reasons.
para l la gravedad, la alquimia y Dios estaban ntimamente ligados [] las
In the first place, the Chilean economy has come through the last five years
actividades alqumicas de Newton no estaban subordinadas a su filosofa
in far better shape than that of any of its Southern Cone neighbors, and
natural, sino que ms bien eran un componente esencial de su empeo
employment and growth figures rebounded in first months of 2003. The
religioso por estudiar las actividades de Dios desde tantos aspectos como
Concertacin may well be in a position in 2005 to claim credit for good
fuera posible (2003: 501). Ahora bien, cul es la verdadera naturaleza del
economic stewardship. Next, many of the issues surrounding the nonnewtonianismo? Antes de responder esta pregunta, primero debemos indemocratic legacy of the Pinochet era including the renowned
vestigar lo que Newton dijo sobre su metodologa.
Principia y Opticks son las fuentes pblicas ms importantes para
comprender el mtodo de Newton. El ttulo completo de Principia (Philoso2 Las obras clsicas sobre la vida de Newton son las escritas por Bernard le
Bovier de Fontenelle, quien public en 1728 The Elogium of Sir Isaac Newton; William
Stukeley, amigo y seguidor de Newton, quien escribi en 1752 Memoirs of Sir Isaac
Newtons Life, y la obra en un tomo de sir David Brewster, titulada The Life of Sir Isaac
Newton (1831), seguida de Memoirs of the Life, Writings, and Discoveries of Sir Isaac
Newton (1855), obra en dos tomos. Esta ltima fue considerada la biografa clsica de
Newton como padre de la Era de la Razn. Aun cuando desde el ensayo de Keynes se
han escrito muchas biografas de Newton, a mi juicio Never at Rest: A Biography of
Isaac Newton (1980), de Richard Samuel Westfall, sigue siendo la mejor relacin de la
vida de Newton y de su contexto intelectual (una versin condensada y titulada The Life
of Isaac Newton fue publicada en 1993). Portrait of Isaac Newton (1968), de F. E.
Manuel, entrega una interpretacin polmica y ms bien freudiana del pensamiento de
Newton; Isaac Newton: Adventurer in Thought (1992), de A. R. Hall, es tambin una
excelente biografa; y por su parte M. White (Isaac Newton: The Last Sorcerer, 1998)
y J. Gleick (Isaac Newton, 2003), han publicado buenas biografas de Newton.

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impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
LEONIDAS
MONTES
251
with Chiles
unusual
electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
phiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica) se asemeja a Principia Philosogovernment during the 1990s. Moreover,
the coalition itself was initially
phiae de Descartes (1644)3 y explcitamente pretende reemplazarlo. El maggalvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
opus
de passes,
Newtonthe
fuecompelling
escrito deliberadamente
manera
matemtica,
1980s,num
so as
time
force of thatde
initial
motivation
con el objetivo
expreso
de evitar
ser provocado
con escasos
might naturally
weaken.
In addition,
the Concertacin,
andpor
evenpersonas
its component
conocimientos
de
matemticas
(citado
en
Westfall,
1980:
459).
Aun
parties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally dividedcuando
resultaissues,
innegable
las matemticas
cumplen
unand
papel
esencial
en el desaover social
suchque
as the
legal status of
divorce
access
to birth
de laby
metodologa
de Newton,
de los mayores
logrosheld
de la
control.rrollo
Finally,
the 2005 elections,
the uno
Concertacin
will have
thefilosofa
experimental
de
Newton
reside
en
su
mtodo
de
resolucin
(anlisis)
y
presidency and a majority in the Chamber of Deputies (the legislative house
de
composicin
(sntesis).
En
su
famoso
General
Scholium,
anexado
al
final
elected by popular vote) for 16 years. By the standards of multiparty
de laanywhere,
segunda edicin
Principia,
se refiere a presidential
la naturaleza de su
coalitions
muchdeless
amongNewton
Latin Americas
filosofa
experimental
en
la
cual
las
proposiciones
se
deducen de los
systems, the Concertacin is geriatric, bearing the scars of miscellaneous
fenmenos
y
se
generalizan
por
induccin
(Newton,
[1687]
1999:
corruption charges against members, including the stripping943).
of En la
4
ltima cuestin,
la N
declara
que el
anlisis
en
parliamentary
rights from
five31,
ofde
theOpticks
coalitions
deputies
in 2002,
andconsiste
the
Experimentos
Observaciones,
en extraer
ellos Conclusiones
generalrealizar
disillusionment
that ygoes
with holdingy the
reins ofdepower
for so
generales
por Induccin
[] the
La coalition
sntesis consiste
dar topor
sentadas las
long. One
might conclude,
then, that
is simplyen
ready
expire.
Any of descubiertas
these forces,yorestablecidas
some combination
of them, could
indeed
Causas
como Principios,
y a partir
de stas
undermine
thelosConcertacin,
we do not
regard
these [1704]
factors1979:
as 404explicar
Fenmenos quebut
se originan
en ellas
(Newton,
necessarily
the coalitions
survival
for a number
reasons.
405). devastating
En suma, elto
mtodo
de resolucin
nos permite
inferirof
causas
a partir de
In the first
place, the Chilean
economy
has come through
the last(ofive
yearsprincilos fenmenos,
y el mtodo
de composicin
un principio
algunos
in far pios)
betterashape
that (o
ofde
any
its Southern
Cone
neighbors,
and
partir than
del cual
losofcuales)
podemos
explicar
otros fenmenos
employment
and
growth
figures
rebounded
in
first
months
of
2003.
The
(en lo concerniente a este tema y su relacin con Smith conviene ver visioConcertacin
may en
well
be in a position
2005 to
claim credit for good
nes distintas
Hetherington
1983 yinMontes
2003).
economic stewardship. Next, many of the issues surrounding the nondemocratic legacy
of edicin
the Pinochet
era including the renowned
3 La primera
fue publicada en 1687, gracias a Edmond Halley, por la
Royal Society; la segunda, compilada por Roger Cotes, fue publicada en 1713; y la
tercera, compilada por Henry Pemberton, en 1726. La primera traduccin al ingls de
Principia de Newton fue realizada por Andrew Motte y publicada pstumamente en
1729. Una versin revisada por Florian Cajori fue publicada en 1934, y en 1999
Bernard Cohen y Anne Whitman publicaron la nueva y largamente esperada traduccin
completa de Principia, precedida por A Guide to Newtons Principia, la excelente obra
de Cohen.
4 Despus de ser nombrado presidente de la Royal Society en 1703, Newton
sigui el consejo de John Wallis de publicar su obra sobre ptica. La primera edicin de
Opticks salio finalmente a luz en 1704, treinta aos despus de escrita, y slo un ao
despus del fallecimiento de Hooke, su rival de toda la vida (Newton haba prometido
no publicarla mientras aqul estuviera vivo). En la Advertencia a la primera edicin,
Newton explicaba que haba prohibido la publicacin de esta obra desde 1675 a fin de
evitar enfrascarse en polmicas. La ltima cuestin, la nmero 31, fue aadida para
aparecer en la primera edicin en latn, Optice, publicada en 1706. Esta ltima fue
traducida y prologada por Samuel Clarke, amigo y acrrimo partidario de Newton. En la
edicin latina se agregaron 7 nuevas preguntas (25 a 31), y en la segunda edicin en
ingls, publicada en 1717, se incorporaron otras 8 cuestiones (17 a 24).

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
ESTUDIOS PBLICOS
with 252
Chiles unusual electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
Al final del primer prrafo del prlogo de Principia, preocupado y
government during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
consciente de la naturaleza desconocida de la fuerza de gravedad, Newton
galvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
especula que
1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
might naturally
weaken.
addition,
the Concertacin,
and even its
Muchas
cosasIn me
llevaron
a abrigar la sospecha
de component
que toparties most
the Christian
internally
dos notably
los fenmenos
puedenDemocrats
depender de are
ciertas
fuerzasdivided
meover social diante
issues, las
such
as thelaslegal
status of
and access
to birth
cuales
partculas
de divorce
los cuerpos,
por causas
aun desconocidas,
o bien son
unas will
hacia
las held
otrasthe
control. Finally,
by the 2005 elections,
theimpelidas
Concertacin
have
hasta
cohesionarse
para
formar
figuras
regulares,
o
bien
se
presidency and a majority in the Chamber of Deputies (the legislative house
repelen
unas
a
otras
y
se
apartan.
Como
estas
fuerzas
son
elected by popular vote) for 16 years. By the standards of multiparty
desconocidas, las pruebas en la naturaleza realizadas hasta
coalitions anywhere, much less among Latin Americas presidential
ahora por los filsofos han sido intiles. (Newton, [1687]
systems, the1999:
Concertacin
382-383.) is geriatric, bearing the scars of miscellaneous
corruption charges against members, including the stripping of
parliamentary
rights
of theespero
coalitions
deputies
in 2002,
and the
Y concluye
que: from
Sin five
embargo,
que los
principios
aqu establecidos
general
disillusionment
that
goes
with
holding
the
reins
of
power
for so ms
arrojarn algo de luz sobre este modo de filosofar o sobre alguno
long.preciso
One might
conclude,
then, thatentheelcoalition
simply
ready
expire. que
(ibdem,
sin destacar
original).isEste
es el
grantoproblema
Any
of
these
forces,
or
some
combination
of
them,
could
indeed
enfrent Newton respecto a la cuestin de la fuerza de gravedad.
Newton
undermine
the
Concertacin,
but
we
do
not
regard
these
factors
as la
fue atacado por recurrir a cualidades ocultas, ya que estara siguiendo
necessarily
devastating
to
the
coalitions
survival
for
a
number
of
reasons.
desacreditada tradicin aristotlico-escolstica. Sus esfuerzos por rebatir
In theesta
first
place, theoChilean
economy
has come
through
lastmuy
five interesanyears
acusacin,
por explicar
su sistema,
revelan
otrathe
faceta
in farte better
shape
than
that
of
any
of
its
Southern
Cone
neighbors,
de la metodologa de Newton: un deseo de descubrir la verdaderaand
naturaemployment
and
growth
figures
in first months
of 2003.
leza de las
cosas,
el cual
y rebounded
esto es fundamental
incluso
admiteThe
la exisConcertacin
mayposibilidad
well be in (recurdese
a position in
to ms
claim
credit for good
tencia de otra
o2005
alguno
preciso).
economic stewardship.
Next,
many ofa the
issues surrounding
non- de
Por otra parte,
al referirse
la atraccin
en la ltimathe
cuestin
democratic
legacy
of
the
Pinochet
era
including
the
renowned
Opticks, el padre de la ley de la gravitacin universal tambin estaba abierto
a la eventualidad de que pudiera haber ms poderes de Atraccin
(Newton, [1704] 1979: 376). Asimismo, las cuatro reglas para el estudio de
la filosofa natural se han transformado en una herramienta emblemtica
para comprender la filosofa experimental de Newton. En particular, la polmica regla 4, que fue agregada en la tercera edicin de Principia, establece que:
En la filosofa experimental, las proposiciones reunidas a partir de los fenmenos por induccin deberan considerarse absolutamente verdaderas o muy cercanas a la verdad pese a
cualquier hiptesis contraria, hasta que surjan otros fenmenos en virtud de los cuales dichas proposiciones aumenten
su exactitud o queden sujetas a excepciones. (Newton, [1687]
1999: 796.)

Esta afirmacin es muy distinta de la visin comnmente aceptada


sobre el legado de Newton. En lugar de un nfasis en el carcter apodctico

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
LEONIDAS
MONTES
253
with Chiles
unusual
electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
de una teora, o una preocupacin por sus poderes explicativos permanengovernment during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
tes, Newton se limita a dejar las teoras como proposiciones abiertas. Se
galvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
trata de una importante evidencia que corrobora que un modelo axiomtico1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
deductivo de ciencia no es herencia de Newton ni de Smith, como quedar
might naturally weaken. In addition, the Concertacin, and even its component
demostrado en la siguiente seccin. Schliesser (2005) ha aportado evidenparties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
cias adicionales y sustanciales para interpretar la teora newtoniana de la
over social issues, such as the legal status of divorce and access to birth
ciencia de Smith como una herramienta de investigacin para un proceso
control. Finally, by the 2005 elections, the Concertacin 5will have held the
potencialmente abierto de aproximacin sucesiva . Newton acepta que el
presidency and a majority in the Chamber of Deputies (the legislative house
progreso de la filosofa natural es abierto, sosteniendo la existencia de la
elected by popular vote) for 16 years. By the standards of multiparty
verdad provisional hasta que se pruebe lo contrario. Por aadidura, no concoalitions anywhere, much less among Latin Americas presidential
sidera las regularidades de los fenmenos matemticos como el sello distinsystems, the Concertacin is geriatric, bearing the scars of miscellaneous
tivo del progreso cientfico. Para Newton, las leyes, incluida la ley de gravecorruption charges against members, including the stripping of
dad, pueden ser susceptibles de perfeccionamiento como parte de este
parliamentary rights from five of the coalitions deputies in 2002, and the
proceso de aproximacin sucesiva. Adam Smith, como se demostrar luego,
general disillusionment that goes with holding
the reins of power for so
comprendi claramente esta visin6.
long. One might conclude, then, that the coalition is simply ready to expire.
Como primero se public en ingls, Opticks de Newton fue ms poAny of these forces, or some combination of them,
could indeed
pular, y por cierto ms accesible al pblico general7. Adems, l concluye
undermine the Concertacin, but we do not regard these factors as
su obra proponiendo slo algunas cuestiones, para permitir que otros llenecessarily devastating to the coalitions survival for a number of reasons.
ven a cabo una indagacin ms amplia (Newton, [1704] 1979: 339). Esta
In the first place, the Chilean economy has come through the last five years
sucesin de 31 cuestiones ofrece la oportunidad para leer las especulacioin far better shape than that of any of its Southern Cone neighbors, and
nes y las propuestas de investigacin de Newton acerca de muchos temas
employment and growth figures rebounded in first months of 2003. The
complejos. La teora corpuscular de la luz entraaba cuestiones difciles, en
Concertacin may well be in a position in 2005 to claim credit for good
especial sobre la naturaleza interna de la materia. Concretamente, al final de
economic stewardship. Next, many of the issues surrounding the nonla cuestin 28 se formula otra importante insinuacin respecto de la verdademocratic legacy of the Pinochet era including the renowned
dera metodologa de Newton:
5 En efecto, Bernard Cohen, George Smith y Howard Stein son los principales
pensadores newtonianos que han investigado el compromiso de Newton con un proceso
abierto de aproximacin sucesiva. Por ejemplo, Smith (2002: 159) se refiere a la regla
4 sosteniendo que quam proxime equivale a una estrategia probatoria con miras a
investigaciones ulteriores, y luego brillantemente subraya que el proceso de aproximaciones sucesivas derivado de Principia de Newton ha arrojado en estos mbitos
evidencias de una calidad que supera cualquier cosa con que sus predecesores soaron
alguna vez (ibdem: 162).
6 Andrew Skinner (1979, 2001) ya haba destacado las conexiones entre Smith,
Kuhn y Shackle en cuanto a su filosofa de la ciencia, pero Schliesser es ms preciso al
considerar a Smith como un realista frente a la teora de Newton. Para un excelente
anlisis de ste y otros aspectos, vase tambin Smith (2002) y Stein (2002).
7 Esta sencilla diferencia entre ambas oeuvres conlleva adems dos tradiciones
bastante distintas de hacer ciencia (vase Cohen y Smith 2002: 31). Sin embargo, yo
agregara que desde un punto de vista metodolgico, como se sugerir implcitamente en
este ensayo, ms que diferencias entre las primeras ediciones de las obras de Newton y
las que public al final de su vida, se observa una evolucin metodolgica.

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
ESTUDIOS PBLICOS
with 254
Chiles unusual electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
Y aunque cada Paso verdadero que se da en esta Filosofa no
governmentnos
during
the 1990s.
Moreover,althe
coalition itself
wasprimera
initially
conduce
inmediatamente
Conocimiento
de la
galvanized Causa,
around deopposition
to
the
Pinochet
regime
of
the
1970s
todos modos nos conduce cerca de ella, y por eseand
1980s, so as
time debe
passes,
compelling
force
of that370.)
initial motivation
motivo
ser the
altamente
valorado.
(Ibdem:
might naturally weaken. In addition, the Concertacin, and even its component
parties most
the Christian
Democrats
arecontina
internally
divided este
En lanotably
ltima cuestin,
la nmero
31, Newton
explicando
over argumento:
social issues, such as the legal status of divorce and access to birth
control. Finally, by the 2005 elections, the Concertacin will have held the
Y siano
surge ninguna
Excepcin
derivada (the
de los
Fenmenos,
presidency and
majority
in the Chamber
of Deputies
legislative
house
se
puede
enunciar
la
Conclusin
en
un
sentido
general.
Pero
elected by popular vote) for 16 years. By the standards of multiparty
si en cualquier momento posterior surgiere alguna Excepcin
coalitions anywhere, much less among Latin Americas presidential
derivada de los Experimentos, entonces se debera comenzar
systems, thea Concertacin
is geriatric,
the scars
of miscellaneous
enunciarla incluyendo
esasbearing
Excepciones
a medida
que se
corruptionpresenten.
charges Siguiendo
against members,
including
the stripping
esta modalidad
de anlisis,
podemos of
parliamentary
rights []
fromenfive
of thedesde
coalitions
deputies
in 2002,
and the
proceder
general,
los Efectos
hasta
sus Causas,
y desde las Causas
mswith
particulares
las ms
generales,
general disillusionment
that goes
holding hasta
the reins
of power
for so
hasta
que
el
Argumento
concluya
en
la
ms
general.
ste
es
long. One might conclude, then, that the coalition is simply ready to expire.
el
Mtodo
de
Anlisis:
Y
la
Sntesis
consiste
en
dar
por
senAny of these forces, or some combination of them, could indeed
tadas las Causas descubiertas y establecidas como Princiundermine the Concertacin, but we do not regard these factors as
pios, y a partir de ellas explicar los Fenmenos que proceden
necessarily de
devastating
to the coalitions
survival for(Ibdem:
a number
of reasons.
ellas, y demostrando
las Explicaciones.
404-405.)
In the first place, the Chilean economy has come through the last five years
in far betterEstos
shapepasajes
than that
of any ofuna
its clara
Southern
Cone sobre
neighbors,
and de
constituyen
reflexin
el mtodo
employment
and
growth
figures
rebounded
in
first
months
of
2003.
The
8
Newton de aproximacin a la realidad . Sin negar la verdad, l confa en que
Concertacin
may well
a positionreales
in 2005
to claim credit
for good
las desviaciones
de be
losinfenmenos
efectivamente
apuntalen
el proeconomic
stewardship.
Next,
many
of
the
issues
surrounding
the
nongreso del conocimiento cientfico. Si no hay desviaciones, nuestras concludemocratic legacy of the Pinochet era including the renowned
siones se mantendrn, pero si de verdad llegan a surgir disociaciones a
partir de los fenmenos, simplemente debemos intensificar la bsqueda de
la verdad cientfica mediante anlisis reiterativos que lograrn conducirnos
con xito a una nueva sntesis. Con todo, este tipo de metodologa dialctica reconoce no slo un proceso de aproximacin sucesiva a la realidad, sino
adems una priorizacin del mtodo de resolucin (o anlisis). Efectivamen8 En Montes (2003: 741-743), seal algunas similitudes entre el mtodo real
de Newton y el enfoque conocido en economa como realismo crtico. Un ao
despus de aparecido ese trabajo se public The Cambridge Companion to Newton. En
esta obra, el editor, George E. Smith, en su ensayo The Methodology of Principia,
analiza las cuatro reglas de Newton y se refiere a la segunda de ellas, sealando que
efecto similar, causa similar, da pie para inferencias que Charles Saunders Peirce
habra calificado de abductivas en contraste con inductivas (Smith, 2002: 160-161;
destacado en el original). Considerando que el realismo crtico ha defendido un modelo
de inferencia retroductivo que se asemeja mucho a la inferencia abductiva de Peirce
(vase Lawson, 1997: 294, n. 14), resulta alentador leer a un eminente pensador como
George E. Smith estableciendo el mismo vnculo.

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
LEONIDAS
MONTES
255
with Chiles
unusual
electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
te: en la Filosofa Natural, la Investigacin de las Cosas difciles empleando
government during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
el mtodo de Anlisis debe siempre preceder al Mtodo de Composicin
galvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
404).
Se trata
un aspecto
esencial
queinitial
ha sido
relativamente
1980s,(ibdem:
so as time
passes,
the de
compelling
force
of that
motivation
ignorado:weaken.
el anlisis
precede the
la sntesis,
y msand
aun,
tiene
might naturally
In addition,
Concertacin,
even
its preeminencia
component so9.
bre
ella
parties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
Por mucha
cautela
que demuestre
frente aand
la verdad,
over social issues,
such as
the legal
status of divorce
access Newton
to birth nunca
su existencia.
Deelections,
hecho, enthe
la visin
de Newton
progreso
cientficontrol.niega
Finally,
by the 2005
Concertacin
willdel
have
held the
co
est
insinuado
su
realismo.
En
General
Scholium
l
se
refiere
a
Dios
presidency and a majority in the Chamber of Deputies (the legislative house y a
gravedad.
vez teniendo
en mente
Nicholas
Saunderson
(1682-1739),
electedlaby
popularTal
vote)
for 16 years.
By athe
standards
of multiparty
el famoso
matemtico
NewtonLatin
establece
una analoga
entre Dios y
coalitions
anywhere,
much ciego,
less among
Americas
presidential
los
colores.
As
como
un
ciego
no
tiene
nocin
de
los
colores
(Newton,
systems, the Concertacin is geriatric, bearing the scars of miscellaneous
[1687]
1999:
942),
lo
propio
ocurre
con
Dios.
La
realidad
no
necesariamente
corruption charges against members, including the stripping of
se tornarights
en algo
manifiesto.
al tratar
de descubrir
parliamentary
from
five of theLuego,
coalitions
deputies
in 2002, la
andcausa
the de la
Newtonthat
sostiene
que realmente
es que
generalgravedad,
disillusionment
goes que
withloholding
the reinsimporta
of power
for la
so gravedad
existe
(ibdem:
943).
ste
no
slo
es
el
mejor
ejemplo
para
comprender
long. One might conclude, then, that the coalition is simply ready to expire.
Any
these
forces, or
combination
of them,
could indeed
lo
queofEric
Schliesser
ha some
denominado
el realismo
modesto
de Newton,
undermine
the Concertacin,
but we do lanot
regard
as
sino adems
es con toda probabilidad
fuente
de lathese
tardafactors
preocupacin
de
10
necessarily
devastating
to
the
coalitions
survival
for
a
number
of
reasons.
Newton por la metodologa . Newton tena la respuesta sobre la manera en
In the first
place, the Chilean
economy
hassaba
comepor
through
the last fivedeyears
que funcionaba
el mundo,
pero no
qu funcionaba
ese modo.
in far En
better
shape
than that
any of its
otras
palabras,
podaofdescribir
la Southern
gravedad Cone
como neighbors,
causa, peroand
no poda
employment
and
growth
figures
rebounded
in
first
months
of
2003.
The
explicar sus poderes causales.
Concertacin Slo
may me
wellhebeconcentrado
in a position
2005 toyclaim
credit pero
for good
en in
Principia
en Opticks,
cabe meneconomic
stewardship.
Next, many
of the issues
surrounding
the non-aportan
cionar
que los trabajos
no publicados
de Newton
efectivamente
democratic
legacy
of the para
Pinochet
era including
the renowned
evidencias
adicionales
la interpretacin
que he estado
tratando de de9

En la edicin Glasgow de la coleccin de ensayos de A. Smith, Essays on


Philosophical Subjects (EPS), los editores sealan acertadamente en su introduccin
que La metodologa de Smith parecera adaptarse a las exigencias del mtodo newtoniano propiamente tal por cuanto l usaba las tcnicas de anlisis y sntesis en el orden
apropiado (EPS, 12).
10 En un ensayo muy sugerente, Strong (1952) sostuvo la existencia de una
suerte de Problema de Newton (a la manera de Smith), ya que en las ediciones
originales de Principia y Opticks no se hace referencia a Dios (el General Scholium se
aadi 25 aos despus de la primera edicin de Principia en 1687, y las cuestiones en
que se menciona a Dios aparecieron por primera vez en la edicin latina Optice en
1706, y especialmente en la segunda edicin inglesa de 1718). Por cierto que la necesidad de Newton de explicar de alguna manera la causa de la gravedad la principal
crtica que le dirigan los cartesianos podra haber influido en su decisin de recurrir a
un argumento teolgico. Pero a mi juicio el argumento de Strong puede hacerse extensivo a la preocupacin de Newton por su metodologa como un proceso abierto de
aproximacin sucesiva. Resulta innegable que Newton tena plena conciencia de su
filosofa experimental, pero sus obras adquirieron matices cada vez ms significativos a
medida que fue envejeciendo.

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
ESTUDIOS PBLICOS
with 256
Chiles unusual electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has
slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
sarrollar11. Para citar slo un ejemplo, en un fragmento que probablemente
government during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
iba a ser incluido en Opticks, Newton se refiere al mtodo de resolucin y
galvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
composicin, aadiendo que quien espera lograr xito, debe resolver antes
1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
de componer. Pues la explicacin de los Fenmenos son Problemas mucho
might naturally weaken. In addition, the Concertacin, and even its component
ms complejos que aquellos de las Matemticas (McGuire, 1970: 185). El
parties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
progreso cientfico no slo consiste en limitarse a alcanzar una regularidad
over social issues, such as the legal status of divorce and access to birth
matemtica, ni tampoco esta ltima es una condicin previa del mtodo de
control. Finally, by the 2005 elections, the Concertacin will have held the
Newton. Si sus descubrimientos crearon un sistema matemtico de la natupresidency and a majority in the Chamber of Deputies (the legislative house
raleza, ello no necesariamente implica que la filosofa natural de Newton
elected by popular vote) for 16 years. By the standards of multiparty
favoreciera una determinada interpretacin matemtico-positivista de su mcoalitions12 anywhere, much less among Latin Americas presidential
todo .
systems, the Concertacin is geriatric, bearing the scars of miscellaneous
corruption charges against members, including the stripping of
Smith acerca de Newton
parliamentary rights from five of the coalitions deputies in 2002, and the
general disillusionment that goes with holding the reins of power for so
Dejando de lado por el momento Essays on Philosophical Subjects
long. One might conclude, then, that the coalition is simply ready to expire.
(EPS), con sus numerosas referencias a Newton principalmente en el ensaAny of these forces, or some combination of them, could indeed
yo History of Astronomy, se observan escasas alusiones directas a
undermine the Concertacin, but we do not regard these factors as
Newton en las otras obras de Smith: ninguna en La Riqueza de las Nacionecessarily devastating to the coalitions survival for a number of reasons.
nes (RN), algunas en Lectures on Rhetoric and Belles Lettres (LRBL), una
In the first place, the Chilean economy has come through the last five years
en Lectures on Jurisprudence (LJ) y una en La Teora de los Sentimientos
in far better shape than that of any of its Southern Cone neighbors, and
Morales (TSM). Pero la nica referencia a Newton en TSM, en el captulo 2,
employment and growth figures rebounded in first months of 2003. The
tercera parte, se encuentra dentro de un interesante pasaje incorporado en
Concertacin may well be in a position in 2005 to claim credit for good
la sexta edicin. Tras advertir la sensibilidad de los poetas y hombres de
economic stewardship. Next, many of the issues surrounding the nonletras frente a la opinin pblica, Smith contina declarando que Los matedemocratic legacy of the Pinochet era including the renowned
11 Por

ejemplo, Kuhn subraya que aun cuando Newton al parecer ha respaldado


la posterior aseveracin de que la investigacin cientfica puede y debe estar limitada a
la bsqueda experimental de la regularidad matemtica [], un cuidadoso anlisis de los
escritos menos sistemticos de Newton que han sido publicados no proporciona ninguna
evidencia de que ste se haya impuesto una restriccin tan drstica a la imaginacin
cientfica (1958: 45).
12 Para una profundizacin de esta visin, vase Montes (2003: 725-732).
Strong (1951) investiga la va matemtica de Newton y advierte no slo que su
mtodo de las fluxiones es ante todo geomtrico, sino adems sostiene la existencia de
un experimentalismo matemtico en el que las mediciones y las reglas de medicin
preparan los principios mecnicos (ibdem: 107). Para Newton las matemticas son
una herramienta concebida para ayudar a resolver problemas cientficos (ibdem). Por
otra parte, defiende la tesis de un conceptualismo matemtico newtoniano seguido
por McLaurin, Pemberton y Gravesande, el cual contrasta con el realismo matemtico de Keill (Strong, 1957). Asimismo, en las visiones de Newton sobre las matemticas
la geometra ocupa un lugar preponderante. La manera en que desarroll su clculo de
fluxiones (clculo diferencial), lo mismo que su mtodo de las cantidades que fluyen o
fluentes (clculo integral), reflejan la importancia que asign a la geometra clsica por
sobre las matemticas puras (vase especialmente Guicciardini 1989, 1999, 2002).

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
LEONIDAS
MONTES
257
with Chiles
unusual
electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
mticos, por el contrario [] suelen ser muy indiferentes ante la recepcin
government during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
que puedan encontrar en el pblico (TSM III.3.20, 124). Menciona a Robert
galvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
Simson y a Matthew Stewart como sus ejemplos de primera mano. Luego
1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
escribe:
might naturally weaken. In addition, the Concertacin, and even its component
parties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
Se me ha dicho que Mathematical Principles of Natural Phiover social issues,
such
as theobra
legal
of Newton,
divorce and
access topor
birth
losophy,
la gran
de status
Sir Isaac
fue ignorada
el
control. Finally,
by thedurante
2005 elections,
the Es
Concertacin
will
held the
pblico
varios aos.
probable que
la have
serenidad
de
presidency and
in thenunca
Chamber
of Deputies
(the legislative
una majority
gran hombre
se haya
visto interrumpida
porhouse
ese
motivo vote)
siquiera
un cuarto
hora. Los offilsofos
naelected by popular
fordurante
16 years.
By thedestandards
multiparty
turales, dada
independencia
de Americas
la opinin presidential
pblica, se
coalitions anywhere,
muchsuless
among Latin
aproximan mucho
a los matemticos,
en susofjuicios
relativos
systems, the Concertacin
is geriatric,
bearing they scars
miscellaneous
al mrito de sus propios descubrimientos y observaciones,
corruption charges against members, including the stripping of
disfrutan en cierto grado de la misma seguridad y serenidad.
parliamentary(Ibdem.)
rights from five of the coalitions deputies in 2002, and the
general disillusionment that goes with holding the reins of power for so
long. One might
conclude,
then,
that the coalition
is simply ready to expire.
Smith
contina
aadiendo
que:
Any of these forces, or some combination of them, could indeed
undermine the
do not
regard dada
thesesufactors
as
LosConcertacin,
matemticos ybut
los we
filsofos
naturales,
indepennecessarily devastating
to
the
coalitions
survival
for
a
number
of
reasons.
dencia de la opinin pblica, no se sienten demasiado tentados the
a organizarse
en facciones
y camarillas,
ya last
sea five
parayears
resIn the first place,
Chilean economy
has come
through the
paldar
su
propia
reputacin,
ya
sea
para
rebajar
la
de
sus
in far better shape than that of any of its Southern Cone neighbors, and
rivales.
Casi
siempre
se
trata
de
hombres
cuyos
sencillos
moemployment and growth figures rebounded in first months of 2003. The
dales reflejan una extremada afabilidad, que conviven en un
Concertacin may well be in a position in 2005 to claim credit for good
clima de gran armona, y defienden mutuamente su reputaeconomic stewardship.
Next, many of the issues surrounding the noncin, que no participan en ninguna intriga para conseguir la
democratic legacy
of
the Pinochet
eraseincluding
the renowned
aprobacin pblica,
sino que
sienten complacidos
cuando
sus obras son objeto de aprobacin, y no experimentan gran
fastidio o ira cuando ellas son ignoradas. (TSM III.2.22, 125)

sta es una de las escasas ocasiones en que alude directamente a


Newton, y vale la pena analizar su contenido. Cuando Smith seala haber
escuchado que Principia de Newton haba sido ignorada por el pblico, su
fuente fue probablemente Robert Simson, su profesor de matemticas en
Glasgow. No obstante, tras presentar su visin de Newton y los filsofos
naturales, Smith no slo se transform en otro heredero de la imagen altamente idealizada de Newton, sino adems en un idealista respecto de los
matemticos en general. l ignora el acalorado debate entre Newton y Leibniz en torno a la invencin del clculo, y contempla ingenuamente a los
matemticos haciendo caso omiso de las intrigas y las facciones que conocemos hoy en da. Presumo que la primera actitud podra reflejar la percepcin general de Newton como el hroe intelectual britnico que posea las

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
ESTUDIOS PBLICOS
with 258
Chiles unusual electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat
since the coalitions early years in
claves de la naturaleza13, y la segunda probablemente fue influida por su
government during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
familiaridad personal con algunos matemticos escoceses, tal vez principalgalvanized around14opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
mente Simson .
1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
La visin de Smith sobre la metodologa de Newton se encuentra en
might naturally weaken. In addition, the Concertacin, and even its component
su ensayo History of Astronomy (incluido en su coleccin de ensayos
parties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
titulada Essays on Philosophical Subjects, EPS), la perla de la coleccin
over social issues, such as the legal status of divorce and access to birth
segn Schumpeter (1994 [1954]: 182). En 1773, encontrndose enfermo, Smicontrol. Finally, by the 2005 elections, the Concertacin will have held the
th envi una alarmante carta a Hume en la que declaraba:
presidency and a majority in the Chamber of Deputies (the legislative house
elected by popular vote) for 16 years. By the standards of multiparty
Como he dejado a su cuidado todos mis trabajos literarios,
coalitions anywhere,
lessexcepcin
among de
Latin
Americas
presidential
debo decirlemuch
que con
aquellos
que llevo
conmisystems, thegoConcertacin
is geriatric,
bearing
the scars of
miscellaneous
no hay ninguno
que merezca
ser publicado,
salvo
un fragcorruptionmento
charges
against
including
stripping
de una
gran members,
obra que contiene
una the
historia
de los of
sistemas
astronmicos
estuvieron
sucesivamente
parliamentary
rights from
five of theque
coalitions
deputies
in 2002, andenthe
boga hasta lathat
poca
de with
Descartes.
Si the
aquello
o no for
ser so
general disillusionment
goes
holding
reinspodra
of power
publicado
como
fragmento
de
una
obra
en
ciernes
escrita
en
long. One might conclude, then, that the coalition is simply ready to expire.
la juventud, lo dejo enteramente a su criterio; aunque comienAny of these forces, or some combination of them, could indeed
zo a sospechar que en algunos pasajes de ella hay ms refinaundermine miento
the Concertacin,
but we
que solidez. (Corr.,
168)do not regard these factors as
necessarily devastating to the coalitions survival for a number of reasons.
In the first place,
the Chilean
economy
has cuando
come through
lastdecidido
five yearsa resLo anterior
demuestra
que aun
Smith the
estaba
in farcatar
better
shape
than
that
of
any
of
its
Southern
Cone
neighbors,
su History of Astronomy (en lo sucesivo Astronomy) de laand
hogueemployment
growth
figures
reboundedsera
in first
months
of 2003.
The
ra, ya queand
pensaba
que
su enfermedad
terminal,
no estaba
plenamente
Concertacin
may
be in a De
position
2005 to
claim
for good
convencido
dewell
su calidad.
todosinmodos,
como
la credit
modestia
de Smith
economic
stewardship.
Next,
many
of
the
issues
surrounding
the
nonqueda de manifiesto en toda su correspondencia, podra tratarse simplemendemocratic
legacy
of
the
Pinochet
era
including
the
renowned
te de una frase retrica y corts dirigida a su amigo Hume. La calidad de
Astronomy ha sido materia de debates. Para algunos especialistas no es
ms que una obra de juventud15, que podra haber sido escrita mientras
estudiaba en Oxford. No obstante, los editores de la Glasgow Edition estiman que Astronomy constituye uno de los mejores ejemplos de historia
terica (EPS, 2), y concluyen que la visin de Smith sobre la ciencia
13 Simplemente reacurdese el epitafio que Alexander Pope dedic a Newton.
La naturaleza y sus leyes yacan ocultas en la noche / Dijo Dios que sea Newton! y
todo se hizo luz (1730). Voltaire y Fontenelle podran haber inspirado a Smith en esta
visin, por cuanto se refieren a la tranquilidad de nimo de Newton. De hecho, poco
despus del ltimo pasaje citado de TSM, Smith se refiere a Fontenelle, quien, al escribir
sobre matemticos y filsofos naturales, tiene frecuentes oportunidades de celebrar la
amable simplicidad de sus modales (TSM III.2.23, 125).
14 De acuerdo con Alexander Carlyle, Robert Simson era de carcter apacible y
aire cautivador, y dominaba todos los conocimientos [], los que imparta con un estilo
coloquial y llano, con la sencillez de un nio, sin el menor sntoma de autosuficiencia o
arrogancia (citado en Ross 1995: 46).
15 Fue escrito definitivamente antes de 1758 (cf. Astronomy IV.75, 103).

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
LEONIDAS
MONTES
259
with Chiles
unusual
electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
parece ms perspicaz hoy en da que lo que habra podido parecer en el
government during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
siglo XVIII (ibdem: 21). Pero poco despus, Wightman, editor de EPS,
galvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
consider que un especialista contemporneo no recurrira [a] ninguno de
1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
ellos [los principales ensayos de Smith] para obtener una visin ms clara
might naturally weaken. In addition, the Concertacin, and even its component
sobre la historia de las ciencias (EPS, 5). Concretamente, Astronomy,
parties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
[si] bien resulta aceptable para un historiador moderno en sus aspectos
over social issues, such as the legal status of divorce and access to birth
graves will
y tantos
de detacontrol.principales,
Finally, bycontiene
the 2005numerosas
elections, omisiones
the Concertacin
haveerrores
held the
lle que
pasa de ser
unaChamber
pieza deofmuseo
en su
(EPS,
11)16. La
presidency
andno
a majority
in the
Deputies
(theespecie
legislative
house
naturaleza
de 16
la years.
metodologa
Newton sugerida
en Astroelectedverdadera
by popular
vote) for
By thedestandards
of multiparty
nomy
ha
sido
relativamente
ignorada
en
comparacin
con
los
comentarios
coalitions anywhere, much less among Latin Americas presidential
y las
sobre
la trada
sorpresa,
maravilla
y admiracin, y se
systems,
theinvestigaciones
Concertacin is
geriatric,
bearing
the scars
of miscellaneous
podra
afirmar
que
incluso
ha
sido
subestimada.
Por
ejemplo,
Longuet-Higcorruption charges against members, including the stripping
of
gins
concluye
que
el
enfoque
que
Smith
aplic
a
la
historia
de
astronoparliamentary rights from five of the coalitions deputies in 2002, andlathe
17
ma
fue
el
de
un
psiclogo
y
no
el
de
un
filsofo
de
la
ciencia
(1992:
general disillusionment that goes with holding the reins of power for so91) .
Smith
reflejathen,
la reaccin
ante
la filosofa
long. One might
conclude,
that the britnica
coalition is
simply
ready tomecnica.
expire. l se
refiere
a
Descartes
como
ese
filsofo
genial
y
extravagante
Any of these forces, or some combination of them, could (Astronomy
indeed
IV.61,
92).Concertacin,
En Astronomy
comprendi
claramente
manera en
undermine the
butlwe
do not regard
thesela factors
as que el
sistema
de Newton
haba
superadosurvival
la teoraforcartesiana
vrtices. El
necessarily
devastating
to the
coalitions
a numberdeoflos
reasons.
ttulo
completo
de
este
ensayo
es
The
Principles
Which
Lead
and Direct
In the first place, the Chilean economy has come through the last five years
Enquiries;
the History
Astronomy,
in far Philosophical
better shape than
that of Illustrated
any of its by
Southern
Cone of
neighbors,
and y su
importancia
metodolgica
inmediatamente
nuestraofatencin.
Si bien se
employment
and growth
figuresllama
rebounded
in first months
2003. The
inicia con
descripcin
psicolgica
del to
progreso
cientfico,
es posible
Concertacin
mayuna
well
be in a position
in 2005
claim credit
for good
economic
stewardship.
Next, manymetodolgicas.
of the issues Sorpresa,
surrounding
the nonextraer
algunas conclusiones
maravilla
y admirademocratic
legacy
the Pinochet
era including
the renowned
cin son
etapasofsucesivas
que conducen
hacia el progreso
cientfico. Las
etapas psicolgicas que van desde lo inesperado, pasando por lo nuevo
y singular, hasta culminar en lo grande y hermoso, respectivamente,
constituyen el fundamento para comprender la naturaleza del progreso cientfico como un proceso mental abstracto. A pesar de que esta abstraccin
subyacente al proceso cientfico ya est presente en los clsicos, resulta
notable la forma en que Smith sita su historia dentro de este proceso
psicolgico. Este ltimo, en cuanto abstraccin, sienta las bases de la astro16 Tambin Cleaver (1989), al contrastar el discurso terico con el cientfico,
recurre a la astronoma, identificando tres principios en la presuncin bsica de que
existe una suerte de equilibrio o uniformidad que mueve a Smith a adoptar una epistemologa que carece de un marco ambiental y cultural. Discrepo de esta presuncin.
17 Contradiciendo la visin tradicional, Bernard Cohen sugiri que Smith era
muy versado en ciencia newtoniana (1994: 66). Schliesser (2005 y otro trabajo de
prxima aparicin) y Montes (2003) han intentado restablecer la importancia metodolgica de la astronoma de Newton, especialmente en algunos de sus aspectos newtonianos.

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
ESTUDIOS PBLICOS
with 260
Chiles unusual electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the18 coalitions early years in
noma y se transforma en su antecedente , pero su historia tiene una natugovernment during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
raleza peculiar.
galvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
Smith define el papel del filsofo como el estudio de los principios
1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
conectores de la naturaleza (Astronomy II.12, 45), una definicin que
might naturally weaken. In addition, the Concertacin, and even its component
persiste durante todo este ensayo. A decir verdad, esta idea de mantener
parties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
conectado exige que algo sea conectado, lo cual implica que esas conexioover social issues, such as the legal status of divorce and access to birth
nes existen. Es ms, antes de proceder a desarrollar su visin en Astrocontrol. Finally, by the 2005 elections, the Concertacin will have held the
nomy Smith seala:
presidency and a majority in the Chamber of Deputies (the legislative house
elected by Procuremos
popular vote)
for 16desde
years.suBy
the mismo,
standards
of esa
multiparty
rastrearla,
origen
hasta
cumcoalitions anywhere,
much
less
among
Latin
Americas
presidential
bre de perfeccin que supuestamente ha alcanzado en la acsystems, thetualidad,
Concertacin
scars ofque
miscellaneous
y que, is
en geriatric,
realidad, bearing
tambin the
se supone
ha alcanen casiagainst
todas las
pocas pasadas
[]. Analicemos,
por of
corruptionzado
charges
members,
including
the stripping
tanto,
todos
losfive
distintos
de deputies
la naturaleza
[que]
parliamentary
rights
from
of the sistemas
coalitions
in 2002,
and the
las personas that
instruidas
e ingeniosas
han reins
adoptado
sucesivageneral disillusionment
goes with
holding the
of power
for so
mente. (Astronomy II.12, 46)
long. One might conclude, then, that the coalition is simply ready to expire.
Any La
of naturaleza
these forces,
or some combination
them, could
indeed
condicional
del progreso of
cientfico
implcita
en este
undermine
the
Concertacin,
but
we
do
not
regard
these
factors
as
pasaje, en una poca que consideraba los descubrimientos de Newton
necessarily
devastating
to
the
coalitions
survival
for
a
number
of
reasons.
como el clmax cientfico per se, es un aspecto ignorado de la interpretacin
In thedefirst
place,por
theparte
Chilean
economy
has
comelathrough
lastproceso
five years
Newton
de Smith.
Para
Smith
ciencia the
es un
abierto
in fardebetter
shape
than
that
of
any
of
its
Southern
Cone
neighbors,
aproximaciones sucesivas que se asemeja al legado metodolgicoand
real de
employment
growth
figuresque
rebounded in first months of 2003. The
Newton. and
Newton
descubri
Concertacin may well be in a position in 2005 to claim credit for good
economic stewardship.
many of thedeissues
surrounding
the un
nonPoda vincularNext,
los movimientos
los planetas
mediante
tan familiar
eliminaba completamendemocraticprincipio
legacy deofconexin
the Pinochet
era que
including
the renowned
te todas las dificultades que la imaginacin haba experimentado hasta entonces para concentrarse en ellos []. Habiendo entonces demostrado que la gravedad podra ser el
principio conector que mantena unidos los movimientos de
los Planetas, l posteriormente se empe en demostrar que
ello realmente ocurra. (Astronomy IV.67, 98, sin destacar
en el original.)

El uso de Smith del condicional podra no es casual; slo refuerza mi


argumento.
Smith concluye su anlisis de los descubrimientos de Newton con la
siguiente frase: Tal es el sistema de Sir Isaac Newton, un sistema en que la
18 Sin embargo, cabe hacer la advertencia de que al final de su ensayo sobre
astronoma Smith recurre a su intencin original: mientras hemos estado empeados
en representar todos los sistemas filosficos como meras invenciones de la imaginacin, en aunar los de otro modo inconexos y discordantes fenmenos de la naturaleza
(Astronomy IV.76, 105).

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
LEONIDAS
MONTES
261
with Chiles
unusual
electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
totalidad de sus partes se encuentran ms estrictamente conectadas que
government during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
las de cualquier otra hiptesis filosfica (Astronomy IV.76, 104, sin desgalvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
tacar en el original). Tampoco es casual en este caso el uso de Smith del
1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
adverbio ms. La idea recurrente de conexiones que existen en la naturaleza
might naturally weaken. In addition, the Concertacin, and even its component
se encuentra escpticamente sujeta a una aproximacin en la visin que
parties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
Smith presenta de Newton. La idea de que la gravedad podra ser el princiover social issues, such as the legal status of divorce and access to birth
pio conector, o la descripcin del sistema de Newton como un sistema en
control. Finally, by the 2005 elections, the Concertacin will have held the
el que la totalidad de sus partes se encuentran ms estrictamente conectapresidency and a majority in the Chamber of Deputies (the legislative house
das, simplemente refleja que el sistema de Newton es el ms preciso que la
elected by popular vote) for 16 years. By the standards of multiparty
humanidad ha logrado alcanzar, pero no la verdad definitiva. El xito cientficoalitions anywhere, much less among Latin Americas presidential
co de Newton con sus principios de conexin mueve a Smith a aseverar que
systems, the Concertacin is geriatric, bearing the scars of miscellaneous
deberamos considerar sus principios como si fueran las verdaderas cadecorruption charges against members, including the stripping of
nas que la Naturaleza emplea para enlazar sus diversas operaciones (Asparliamentary rights from five of the coalitions deputies in 2002, and the
tronomy IV.76: 105, sin destacar en el original). Ntese una vez ms el
general disillusionment that goes with holding the reins of power for so
empleo de la frase comparativa como si. En realidad, estos ejemplos delong. One might conclude, then, that the coalition is simply ready to expire.
muestran que Smith comprenda cabalmente la naturaleza abierta de la indaAny of these forces, or some combination of them, could indeed
gacin cientfica. Se trata de una propiedad caractersticamente newtoniana,
undermine the Concertacin, but we do not regard these factors as
como hemos demostrado en la seccin anterior de este captulo. Smith estanecessarily devastating to the coalitions survival for a number of reasons.
ba consciente de que podamos aproximarnos sucesivamente a la realidad,
In the first place, the Chilean economy has come through the last five years
postura que tambin es muy newtoniana.
in far better shape than that of any of its Southern Cone neighbors, and
Pasemos ahora a analizar a Smith y su teora del equilibrio econmico
employment and growth figures rebounded in first months of 2003. The
general. En su monumental obra History of Economic Analysis, Joseph
Concertacin may well be in a position in 2005 to claim credit for good
Schumpeter, quien no era un aficionado a Adam Smith, elogia la rudimentaeconomic stewardship. Next, many of the issues surrounding the nonria teora del equilibrio expuesta en el captulo 7 [Riqueza de las Naciones,
democratic legacy of the Pinochet era including the renowned
RN], lejos la mejor obra sobre teora econmica escrita por Adam Smith
(1994 [1954]: 189), simplemente porque sera una antecesora terica orientada hacia Walras. Al referirse a los precios y las cantidades que constituyen
el sistema econmico, si Isnard, Smith, Say y Ricardo luchaban por
alcanzarlo o ms bien lo buscaban a tientas, para Schumpeter fue Walras
quien realiz el descubrimiento del equilibrio econmico, la Carta Magna
de la teora econmica (ibdem: 242). Desde entonces ha existido un consenso general en cuanto a que Smith sera un precursor, cuando no el
fundador, de la teora del equilibrio econmico general19. Algunos econo19 Por

ejemplo, Lionel Robbins elogia el logro de RN, que est en consonancia


con el aparato ms refinado de la moderna Escuela de Lausana (1962 [1932]: 69).
Samuel Hollander, aplicando nuestros conocimientos modernos sobre el equilibrio general a una concepcin del mecanismo de precios de Smith, se refiere al notable captulo (1973: 117). Ms adelante sostiene que aun as una orientacin hacia Riqueza de
las Naciones basada en la teora de los precios no ha sido refutada (Hollander, 1987:
61), concluyendo que el Captulo 7 contiene una formulacin embrionaria de la teora

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
ESTUDIOS PBLICOS
with 262
Chiles unusual electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
mistas modernos, considerando el equilibrio econmico general walrasiano
government during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
como la cumbre de la teora econmica neoclsica (Samuelson, 1952: 61),
galvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
concluyen que Adam Smith, padre de nuestra ciencia, podra tener razo1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
nes
ms poderosas
reivindicar
ese ttulo. Porand
aadidura,
la ms famosa
might
naturally
weaken.para
In addition,
the Concertacin,
even its component
(y
ms
esquiva)
metfora
en
la
historia
del
pensamiento
econmico,
la de la
parties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
mano
invisible,
ha
sido
interpretada
como
una
expresin
potica
que
over social issues, such as the legal status of divorce and access to birthconfirma
a Smithbycomo
un creador
de the
la teora
del equilibrio
control.
Finally,
the 2005
elections,
Concertacin
will general
have held(Arrow
the y
Hanh, 1971:
2). De cualquier
manera, of
enDeputies
los textos(the
de microeconoma
presidency
and a majority
in the Chamber
legislative houseno se
vacila
en
vincular
la
mano
invisible
de
Smith
con
algn
equilibrio20.
elected by popular vote) for 16 years. By the standardstipo
ofdemultiparty
El empeo general
de Smith
por revelar
la naturalezapresidential
de la economa
coalitions anywhere,
much less
among
Latin Americas
poltica,
en particular is
porgeriatric,
iluminarbearing
los particulares
[], causas
systems,
the yConcertacin
the scarsaccidentes
of miscellaneous
naturales,
y
[]
particulares
regulaciones
(RN
I.vii.20,
77)
del
mecanismo
corruption charges against members, including the stripping
of
de
mercado,
es
newtoniano
desde
el
punto
de
vista
de
su
metodologa
parliamentary rights from five of the coalitions deputies in 2002, and the y su
realismo.
l no previ
ungoes
modelo
terico
del mecanismo
mercado
general
disillusionment
that
with
holding
the reins ofdepower
for asopartir
cual
puede
deducirse
una
confluencia
de is
fenmenos,
como
Schumpeter
long.del
One
might
conclude,
then,
that
the coalition
simply ready
to expire.
podra
haber
deseado.
Su
amplio
proyecto
de
una
ciencia
social
que incluAny of these forces, or some combination of them, could indeed
yera
la
tica,
la
jurisprudencia
y
la
economa
poltica
consista
en
determinar
undermine the Concertacin, but we do not regard these factors as
las verdaderas
estructuras
que subyacen
trasfor
losa fenmenos
sociales. Su
necessarily
devastating
to the coalitions
survival
number of reasons.
intelectual
se relaciona
naturaleza
y las
causas
(recurIn thebsqueda
first place,
the Chilean
economycon
has la
come
through the
last
five years
dese
el
ttulo
completo
de
RN)
de
los
fenmenos
sociales.
Tanto
Newton
in far better shape than that of any of its Southern Cone neighbors, and
como Smith
reaccionan
oponindose
la first
reduccin
deoflos2003.
fenmenos
employment
and growth
figures
reboundeda in
months
The a
causas
mecnicas,
compartiendo
un
proyecto
filosfico
comn.
Por
Concertacin may well be in a position in 2005 to claim credit for goodtanto,
no es coincidencia
que lomany
expresado
porissues
Smith surrounding
en Astronomy
economic
stewardship.elNext,
of the
the refleje
non- un
realismo
profundamente
imbuido
de
la
influencia
de
Newton.
El
objetivo
democratic legacy of the Pinochet era including the renowned de
nuestras indagaciones es poner al descubierto las conexiones ocultas que
unen las diversas apariencias de la naturaleza (Astronomy II.3: 51). Al
contrario de lo sugerido por Blaug, quien sostiene que Smith tena una
visin ingenua de lo que constitua el mtodo de Newton ([1980] 1992: 53),
lo anterior aporta evidencia adicional para probar que Smith comprenda el
pensamiento Newton mejor de lo que generalmente se ha admitido.
del equilibrio general (ibdem: 65). Buchanan y Yoon (2000) estiman que las utilidades
crecientes de que habla Smith son compatibles con el equilibrio competitivo. Lo anterior sugerira que Smith fue un precursor del equilibrio competitivo como estado final.
Para puntos de vista distintos, vase Chandra (2004) y Negishi (2004).
20 En Microeconomic Theory, la popular obra de Mas-Collel y otros, se lee: El
primer teorema fundamental de la economa del bienestar establece condiciones bajo las
cuales cualquier equilibro de precios con transferencias, y en particular cualquier equilibrio walrasiano, constituye un ptimo de Pareto. Para una economa de mercado competitiva proporciona una confirmacin formal y muy general de la afirmacin de Smith
de que una mano invisible dominaba la propiedad del mercado (Mas-Collel y otros,
1995: 549; vase tambin: 327 y 524).

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
LEONIDAS
MONTES
263
with Chiles
unusual
electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
La fuente del debate en torno a Smith y la teora del equilibrio econgovernment during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
mico general se concentra principal, pero no exclusivamente, en el Captulo
galvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
7, Del precio natural y del precio de mercado de los bienes, en el primer
1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
libro de RN. ste sera el supuesto fundamento de la teora del equilibrio
might naturally weaken. In addition, the Concertacin, and even its component
general, o el germen de la misma. Segn Smith el precio natural difiere del
parties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
precio de mercado (o real) que se determina segn la demanda efectiva. l
over social issues, such as the legal status of divorce and access to birth
define este proceso de la siguiente manera:
control. Finally, by the 2005 elections, the Concertacin will have held the
presidency and a majority in the Chamber of Deputies (the legislative house
El precio natural es, en consecuencia, por decirlo as, el precio
elected by popular
for 16
years.
By thecontinuamente
standards of los
multiparty
central, vote)
en torno
al cual
gravitan
precios
coalitions anywhere,
much
less
among
Latin
Americas
presidential
de todos los bienes. Diversos accidentes pueden a veces
systems, the Concertacin
is geriatric,durante
bearinglargo
the scars
of por
miscellaneous
mantenerlos suspendidos
tiempo
encima de
aqul, y en
ocasiones
los obligan
a descender
incluso a un
corruption charges
against
members,
including
the stripping
of
inferior.
cualesquieradeputies
sean losinobstculos
parliamentarynivel
rightsalgo
from
five ofPero
the coalitions
2002, andque
the
les impidanthat
asentarse
en este
centro
reposo
y permanengeneral disillusionment
goes with
holding
thedereins
of power
for so
cia, ellos tienden constantemente hacia l. (RN I.vii.15, 75, sin
long. One might conclude, then, that the coalition is simply ready to expire.
destacar en el original.)
Any of these forces, or some combination of them, could indeed
undermine the Concertacin, but we do not regard these factors as
La idea de todos los precios, el uso de la palabra gravitar, y la idea
necessarily devastating to the coalitions survival for a number of reasons.
de un centro de reposo aparecen como evidencia adicional de la influencia
In the first place, the Chilean economy has come through the last five years
de Newton, pero tambin debemos recordar que [e]n los tiempos de Smith
in far better shape than that of any of its Southern Cone neighbors, and
invocar el nombre de Newton y tomar prestada su terminologa era un recuremployment and growth figures rebounded in first months of 2003. The
so retrico de uso comn (Redman, 1993: 225). Tras un par de pginas en
Concertacin may well be in a position in 2005 to claim credit for good
que se analizan algunos aspectos sobre la manera en que las fluctuaciones
economic stewardship. Next, many of the issues surrounding the nonde precios afectan la renta, los sueldos y las utilidades, Smith prosigue:
democratic legacy of the Pinochet era including the renowned
Pero aunque el precio de mercado de cada bien en particular
se encuentra de este modo permanentemente gravitando, por
as decirlo, en torno al precio natural, sin embargo en ocasiones ciertos accidentes, a veces causas naturales, o bien determinados regulaciones particulares pueden, en el caso de
muchos bienes, mantener elevado el precio de mercado de
manera continuada durante largo tiempo, en un nivel bastante
superior al del precio natural. (RN I.vii.20, 77, sin destacar en
el original.)

Ntese que tras gravitando Smith se cuida de aadir por as decirlo, tal vez para subrayar su carcter metafrico, o quizs consciente de que
el trmino gravitacin implicaba en realidad un fenmeno distinto. En
verdad el uso que Smith hace del trmino gravitacin en funcin de los
precios emula la tercera ley de Newton de accin y reaccin: a cada accin
corresponde siempre una reaccin igual y contraria, pero entre ambos se
observan importantes diferencias. Para Newton la accin y la reaccin son

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
ESTUDIOS PBLICOS
with 264
Chiles unusual electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
siempre iguales, y los cuerpos estn gravitando no slo en torno a algn
government during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
cuerpo central, sino que todos ellos se encuentran gravitando mutuamente,
galvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
unos en torno a otros. En otras palabras, si la descripcin que Smith hace
1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
del mecanismo de precios fuera efectivamente newtoniana, todos los premight naturally weaken. In addition, the Concertacin, and even its component
cios deberan gravitar unos en torno a otros, lo cual implica que el precio
parties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
natural tambin debera gravitar en torno a los precios de todos los bieover social issues, such as the legal status of divorce and access to birth
nes. El fenmeno anterior se asemejara bastante a una suerte de desequilicontrol. Finally, by the 2005 elections, the Concertacin will have held the
brio. El difunto Bernard Cohen sostuvo que, debido a esta diferencia, la
presidency and a majority in the Chamber of Deputies (the legislative house
aplicacin que Smith hizo del newtonianismo al mecanismo de precios fue
elected by popular vote) for 16 years. By the standards of multiparty
perfectamente correcta hasta cierto punto; fue simplemente incompleta
coalitions anywhere, much less among Latin Americas presidential
(Cohen, 1994: 65, destacado en el original). Se trata de una argumentacin
systems, the Concertacin is geriatric, bearing the scars of miscellaneous
seria que contradice cualquier interpretacin de la figura Smith como la de
corruption charges against members, including the stripping of
un precursor del equilibrio general que se bas en el pensamiento de
parliamentary rights from five of the coalitions deputies in 2002, and the
Newton.
general disillusionment that goes with holding the reins of power for so
Otro punto de discrepancia es que la teora del equilibrio general,
long. One might conclude, then, that the coalition is simply ready to expire.
desde los tempranos aportes de Walras, ha adquirido un carcter progresiAny of these forces, or some combination of them, could indeed
vamente matemtico, emulando bsicamente los resultados de lo que Cohen
undermine the Concertacin, but we do not regard these factors as
(1980) denomina el estilo newtoniano de Principia. Con todo, cabe recornecessarily devastating to the coalitions survival for a number of reasons.
dar que Smith es muy cauteloso, y ms bien escptico, respecto al uso de
In the first place, the Chilean economy has come through the last five years
las matemticas en la filosofa moral (lo cual inclua, por cierto, la economa
in far better shape than that of any of its Southern Cone neighbors, and
poltica). En una carta en que se refiere a la recopilacin que Webster realiz
employment and growth figures rebounded in first months of 2003. The
de cifras demogrficas escocesas para un sistema de pensiones, Smith deConcertacin may well be in a position in 2005 to claim credit for good
clara: Usted sabe que tengo escasa confianza en la Aritmtica Poltica, y
economic stewardship. Next, many of the issues surrounding the nonesta historia no contribuye a mejorar mi opinin sobre aquella (Correspondemocratic legacy of the Pinochet era including the renowned
dence, 288). Luego, en RN Smith seala: No tengo gran confianza en la
aritmtica poltica (RN IV.v.b.30, 534). Si bien dentro de esta tradicin iniciada por William Petty la aplicacin de la aritmtica poltica durante el siglo
XVIII supona un alto grado de conjetura, por lo menos puede admitirse que
el mtodo de Smith en la teora econmica (y con mayor razn en la tica),
con excepcin de algunas operaciones aritmticas sencillas como porcentajes, no es matemtico.
Adems, en lo relativo a la visin teleolgica de Smith sobre el mercado, l est considerando un proceso, no un estado final. Mark Blaug ha
expresado este punto de vista de manera franca y directa:
El esfuerzo realizado en los libros de texto modernos por apoyarse en el pensamiento de Adam Smith para respaldar lo que
hoy se conoce como los teoremas fundamentales de economa del bienestar es un travesty histrico de grandes proporciones. En primer trmino, la concepcin de Smith sobre la

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
LEONIDAS
MONTES
265
with Chiles
unusual
electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
competencia era [] una concepcin en funcin de un procegovernment during
1990s.
Moreover,
the coalition
itself
was
21 initially
so y nothe
de un
estado
final. (Blaug,
[1962] 1997:
60.)
galvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
1980s, so as Smith
time passes,
the compelling
of that initialmecnico
motivation
no comparta
la idea de force
un reduccionismo
que, aplimight naturally
In addition, the
Concertacin,
its component
cado a laweaken.
teora econmica,
exigira
el uso deand
laseven
matemticas
avanzadas
parties para
most
notably
the Christian
Democrats
are internally
explicar
la armona
de las fuerzas
del mercado
al interiordivided
de un modelo
idealizado
desuch
equilibrio
Este reduccionismo
existencia
over social
issues,
as thegeneral.
legal status
of divorce andpresupone
access tolabirth
de
un
sistema
cerrado,
hiptesis
que
constituye
la
esencia
de
la
teora
control. Finally, by the 2005 elections, the Concertacin will have held the econmica
especialmente
relacin con
la teora del
equilibrio
presidency
andneoclsica,
a majority in
the Chamber en
of Deputies
(the legislative
house
La economa
poltica
de Smith
la de
un sistema
electedgeneral.
by popular
vote) for
16 years.
By esthe
standards
of abierto.
multiparty
La conviccin
que among
los fenmenos
sociales pueden
ser tratados de
coalitions anywhere,
muchdeless
Latin Americas
presidential
manera
mecnica,
y
los
individuos
de
manera
atomstica,
ha
sido errneasystems, the Concertacin is geriatric, bearing the scars of miscellaneous
mente
atribuida
a
algo
que
podra
denominarse
newtonianismo
corruption charges against members, including the strippingsmithiano.
of
Este ltimo
interpretacin
de
parliamentary
rights corresponde
from five of atheuna
coalitions
deputiesdoblemente
in 2002, andespuria
the
Newton
y
Smith
que
se
ha
propagado
entre
ciertos
economistas
neoclsigeneral disillusionment that goes with holding the reins of power for so
cos might
y queconclude,
habra servido
de the
fundamento
la formulacin
de teoras
long. One
then, that
coalition ispara
simply
ready to expire.
modernas
sobre
equilibrio
econmico
general.
Si
los
economistas
Any of these forces, or some combination of them, could indeedse han
limitado
relegar el newtonianismo
a fuerzas
en equilibrio,
pasandoaspor alto
undermine thea Concertacin,
but we do
not regard
these factors
el verdadero significado de las leyes de Newton y la compleja metodologa
necessarily devastating to the coalitions survival for a number of reasons.
que ste aplic, ese orden mecnico no necesariamente deriva de la concepIn the first place, the Chilean economy has come through the last five years
cin de Smith sobre el mecanismo del mercado. La descripcin realista que
in far better shape than that of any of its Southern Cone neighbors, and
Smith hace de los fenmenos econmicos no allan el terreno para la presuemployment and growth figures rebounded in first months of 2003. The
posicin ontolgicamente atomista-mecanicista de la economa neoclsica,
Concertacin may well be in a position in 2005 to claim credit for good
de la cual el equilibrio econmico general ha sido un eptome.
economic stewardship. Next, many of the issues surrounding the nonPor ltimo, la fe incondicional en un orden racional, caracterizado por
democratic legacy of the Pinochet era including the renowned
la armona, la estabilidad, la nivelacin o el equilibrio, fue un fenmeno
caractersticamente francs, generalizado en Lavoisier, Laplace, Condillac,
Lagrange y Condorcet. Esta tradicin condujo a Walras. Sin embargo, los
pensadores de la Ilustracin Escocesa, y Smith en particular, no consideraban que los fenmenos sociales pudieran ser reducidos simplemente a un
tipo de equilibrio mecnico. La verdad es que Smith utiliza slo una vez la
palabra equilibrio en RN, cuando critica la doctrina de la balanza comercial
(RN IV.iii.c.2, 489). En este contexto, la manera en que Smith interpret el
pensamiento de Newton se relaciona directamente con la manera en que
los escoceses asimilaron el newtonianismo, como sostengo en la prxima
seccin. El papel que le cupo a la Ilustracin Escocesa en la difusin de las
ideas de Newton es una importante caracterstica que arroja ms luz sobre
el contexto del enfoque que Smith aplica al analizar la metodologa de
Newton.
21 Winch tambin refuta convincentemente a aquellos que persisten en ver a
Smith como un precursor de la teora del equilibrio general, pero tampoco vacila en
sugerir que lo que Smith elogi como mtodo newtoniano se adapta a sus propias
obras, lo mismo que a las de los tericos del equilibrio general (1997: 399).

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
ESTUDIOS PBLICOS
with 266
Chiles unusual electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
Newton y la Ilustracin Escocesa
government during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
galvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
Justo en el ltimo prrafo de Opticks, en la cuestin 31, Newton
1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
declar [y] si la Filosofa natural y todas sus Partes, siguiendo este mtomight naturally weaken. In addition, the Concertacin, and even its component
do,most
se perfeccionaran
tambin seare
ensancharan
los Lmites
parties
notably thecompletamente,
Christian Democrats
internally divided
de
la
Filosofa
Moral
(Newton,
[1704]
1979:
405).
Esta
frase
fue
over social issues, such as the legal status of divorce and access totomada
birth en
serio
por
los
sabios
del
siglo
XVIII.
George
Turnbull
reprodujo
esta
cita en
control. Finally, by the 2005 elections, the Concertacin will have held the
la portada
la primera
de of
The
Principles
Moral Philosophy
presidency
and ademajority
in theedicin
Chamber
Deputies
(the of
legislative
house
(1740).
Francis
Hutcheson,
padre
de
la
Ilustracin
Escocesa,
procur estaelected by popular vote) for 16 years. By the standards of multiparty
blecer una
moral matemtica,
porpresidential
Newton. David
coalitions
anywhere,
much less probablemente
among Latin inspirado
Americas
Hume,
por
su
parte,
deseaba
estructurar
su
ciencia
del
hombre
emulando
systems, the Concertacin is geriatric, bearing the scars of miscellaneous
explcitamente
el
mtodo
experimental
de
Newton.
Smith
no
fue
una
excepcorruption charges against members, including the stripping of
cin en este
escenario.
Por of
tanto,
ya se deputies
seal, no
sorprendenparliamentary
rights
from five
the como
coalitions
inresulta
2002, and
the
te que
se refiera a [l]a
de holding
Sir Isaacthe
Newton
III.2.20,
general
disillusionment
thatgran
goesobra
with
reins of(TSM
power
for so124).
Reid
fue otro then,
heredero
tradicin
newtoniana,
lo revelong.Thomas
One might
conclude,
that de
theesta
coalition
is simply
ready tocomo
expire.
lanAny
sus explcitas
referencias
a las combination
cuatro reglasof[de
Newton]
el estuof these forces,
or some
them,
couldpara
indeed
dio de lathe
filosofa
natural. Labut
influencia
la filosofa
moral,
undermine
Concertacin,
we do de
notNewton
regardenthese
factors
as las
necessarily
devastating
to the poltica,
coalitions
survival for
a number entre
of reasons.
matemticas,
la economa
la fisiologa,
la medicina,
otras disciIn theplinas,
first place,
the Chilean
economy has
through
the last five
es enorme
y muy compleja.
Perocome
una de
las preguntas
ms years
enigmtiin farcasbetter
shape
than that estos
of any
of its Southern
Conedeneighbors,
es cmo
entendieron
intelectuales
el mtodo
Newton. and
employmentEnand
growth figures
rebounded
in first months
of 2003.
The puconsecuencia,
no debera
sorprendernos
que Smith
tambin
Concertacin
may
well
be
in
a
position
in
2005
to
claim
credit
for
good
diera haberse hecho eco del deseo que Newton expresa al final de Opticks:
economic stewardship. Next, many of the issues surrounding the nondemocratica legacy
era podemos
including
renowned
la maneraofdethe
Sir Pinochet
Isaac Newton,
sentarthe
ciertos
principios conocidos o demostrados en un comienzo, a partir de
los cuales explicamos los diversos Fenmenos, asocindolos
todos en una misma Cadena. Este ltimo fenmeno, que podramos llamar el mtodo newtoniano es sin duda el ms filosfico, y en toda ciencia, ya sea que se trate de la moral o de
la filosofa natural, etc., resulta muchsimo ms ingenioso y
por lo mismo ms atractivo que el otro [el de Aristteles].
(Lectures on Rethoric and Belles Lettres [LRBL], leccin 24,
ii.133, 145-146, sin destacar en el original.)22
22 Cabe sealar como advertencia que este pasaje aparece publicado en una
poca en que Smith dictaba una ctedra sobre mtodos de presentacin. Hay otra
referencia incidental a Newton en LRBL, Languages, 1, 204, y en LJ (B), 399, adems
de una referencia a Representation to the Lords of the Treasury de Isaac Newton en una
nota a pie de pgina de RN I.xi.h, 229. Resulta muy importante la referencia a la
filosofa newtoniana en la carta que Smith envi a los autores de The Edinburgh Review
(EPS, 244).

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
LEONIDAS
MONTES
267
with Chiles
unusual
electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
Si bien definir en qu consiste exactamente el newtonianismo es una
government during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
tarea muy difcil y plagada de matices, la Ilustracin Escocesa desempe
galvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime
of the 1970s and
un papel esencial en la difusin de esa corriente23. En efecto, Paul Wood ha
1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
sostenido recientemente que sus escritos [los de Newton] fueron interpremight naturally weaken. In addition, the Concertacin, and even its component
tados de maneras tan radicalmente distintas que cuesta identificar una tradiparties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
cin newtoniana unificada en las ciencias morales (Wood, 2003: 802). Los
over social issues, such as the legal status of divorce and access to birth
philosophes del siglo XVIII adoptaron cuidadosamente los exitosos descucontrol. Finally, by the 2005 elections, the Concertacin will have held the
brimientos de Newton como un paradigma, pero muchos de ellos adaptaron
presidency and a majority in the Chamber of Deputies (the legislative house
descuidadamente su metodologa. A mi juicio en Francia hubo una tendenelected by popular vote) for 16 years. By the standards of multiparty
cia a interpretar a Newton dentro de un contexto en el que las instituciones
coalitions anywhere, much less among Latin Americas presidential
cientficas respaldaban an el legado cartesiano. Los escoceses no slo
systems, the Concertacin is geriatric, bearing the scars of miscellaneous
difundieron con resolucin la herencia de Newton, sino que adems pocorruption charges against members, including the stripping of
sean una concepcin diferente de lo que era el newtonianismo, la cual
parliamentary rights from five of the coalitions deputies in 2002, and the
determin la manera en que los britnicos recibieron el pensamiento de
general disillusionment that goes with holding the reins of power for so
Newton. En mi opinin, este contexto podra ayudarnos a explicar por qu
long. One might conclude, then, that the coalition is simply ready to expire.
Smith comprendi tan bien a Newton.
Any of these forces, or some combination of them, could indeed
Existen evidencias de que las universidades escocesas no slo eran
undermine the Concertacin, but we do not regard these factors as
eminentemente newtonianas, sino que adems cumplieron un papel decisinecessarily devastating to the coalitions survival for a number of reasons.
vo en el establecimiento el newtonianismo en Gran Bretaa. A partir de la
In the first place, the Chilean economy has come through the last five years
dcada de 1690 ellas encabezaron la institucionalizacin del sistema newtoin far better shape than that of any of its Southern Cone neighbors, and
niano (Wood, 2003: 810). Christine Shepherd (1982) ha realizado investigaemployment and growth figures rebounded in first months of 2003. The
ciones en archivos acerca de la rpida aceptacin que tuvo Newton en las
Concertacin may well be in a position in 2005 to claim credit for good
universidades escocesas desde la dcada de 1660 hasta comienzos del siglo
economic stewardship. Next, many of the issues surrounding the nonXVIII, y ha llegado a la conclusin de que Escocia fue escena de un considemocratic legacy of the Pinochet era including the renowned
derable grado de progreso en la filosofa natural a fines del siglo XVII y
durante los primeros aos del siglo XVIII (ibdem: 83)24. Este fenmeno
obedeci sin duda a la enorme influencia de los Gregories en Saint Andrews
y en Edinburgo25, pero de ningn modo es atribuible exclusivamente a ellos.
Por ejemplo, John Keill (1671-1721), matemtico y pensador escocs, al pare23

Shepherd (1982) y Wood (2003) han demostrado de manera notable cmo


los intelectuales escoceses contribuyeron a difundir el newtonianismo en Gran Bretaa.
24 Brockliss (2003) seala que hacia la dcada de 1690 su teora de la gravitacin universal [la de Newton], al igual que sus trabajos sobre la luz y el color, estaban
siendo debatidos por profesores de filosofa en las universidades escocesas (ibdem: 47).
25 James Gregory (1638-1675), inventor del telecopio reflector, fue miembro
de la Royal Society, mantuvo correspondencia con Newton, lleg a ser profesor de
matemticas en Saint Andrews en 1668, y luego profesor de la Universidad de Edinburgo en 1674, ocupando la nueva ctedra de matemticas. David Gregory (1659-1708)
sucedi a su to James Gregory como profesor de matemticas en la Universidad de
Edinburgo en 1683. En 1692 fue admitido en el Balliol College de Oxford, y posteriormente, con el respaldo de Newton, le fue asignada la ctedra saviliana de astronoma en
Oxford. Fue un importante discpulo de Newton y miembro de su crculo ntimo.

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
ESTUDIOS PBLICOS
with 268
Chiles unusual electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
cer ya en 1699 comenz a dictar ctedras sobre la filosofa natural de
government during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
Newton en Oxford, y lleg a ocupar la ctedra saviliana en 1712, iniciando
galvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime
of the 1970s and
un curso experimental sobre fsica newtoniana26.
1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
En Gran Bretaa tal vez las descripciones ms influyentes y populamight naturally weaken. In addition, the Concertacin, and even its component
res del nuevo sistema de Newton durante la primera mitad del siglo XVIII
parties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
fueron A View of Sir Isaac Newtons Philosophy, de Henry Pemberton
over (1694-1771),
social issues,publicada
such as the
legal un
status
divorce
accessdetoNewton,
birth y
en 1728,
ao of
despus
deand
la muerte
control.
byofthe
Concertacin
willde
have
held the
The Finally,
Elements
Sir2005
Isaacelections,
Newtonsthe
Philosophy
(1738),
Voltaire
(1694presidency
and
a
majority
in
the
Chamber
of
Deputies
(the
legislative
house el
1778). Pero An Account of Sir Isaac Newtons Philosophical Discoveries,
elected
by popular
16 years.
By the standards
multiparty
notable
tratado devote)
Colinfor
Maclaurin
(1698-1746)
publicado of
en 1748,
es tal vez
coalitions
anywhere,
much
less
among
Latin
Americas
presidential
la mejor obra sobre el tema escrita en la primera mitad del siglo XVIII27.
systems, theColin
Concertacin
geriatric,
bearing escocs
the scarsextraordinariamente
of miscellaneous taMaclaurinisfue
un matemtico
corruption
charges
against
members,
including
the
stripping
of 15
lentoso, quien en una poca temprana de su vida, cuando
slo contaba
parliamentary
rights
from
five
of
the
coalitions
deputies
in
2002,
and
the
aos, expuso una compleja tesis en la que explicaba la ley de gravedad de
general
disillusionment
that goes with
holding
the reins of
power
for so para
Newton.
Asimil rpidamente
el clculo
newtoniano
y hay
motivos
long.afirmar
One might
then, thatms
the capaz
coalition
is simplydel
ready
to expire. en
que conclude,
fue el exponente
y enrgico
newtonianismo
Any ofcuando
these forces,
or some
combination
Escocia,
no en Gran
Bretaa,
durante of
la them,
primeracould
mitadindeed
del siglo
undermine
thecontribuy
Concertacin,
buta consolidar
we do notla regard
these
factors as
XVIII. l
no slo
influencia
newtoniana
en los
necessarily
devastating
to
the
coalitions
survival
for
a
number
of
reasons.
crculos acadmicos escoceses, sino adems a crear una ciencia pblica
In thedentro
first place,
the ChileanEscocesa
economy has
come2003:
through
theMaclaurin
last five years
de la Ilustracin
(Wood,
102).
capt la
in farimportancia
better shape
thatdel
of legado
any ofdeitsNewton,
Southern
neighbors,
and en
y lathan
esencia
y laCone
influencia
que ejerci
employment
growth figures
rebounded
in firstofmonths
2003. The
Escocia yand
en Inglaterra
a travs
de An Account
Sir IsaacofNewtons
PhiloConcertacin
may well befue
in considerable.
a position in Adam
2005 to
claimfuecredit
for good otro
sophical Discoveries
Smith
precisamente
sabio que
aprovech
la refinada
de Newton the
por nonparte de
economic
stewardship.
Next,
many ofinterpretacin
the issues surrounding
Maclaurin;
aun cuando
parecer este
no estaba en
biblioteca, hay
democratic
legacy
of thealPinochet
eralibro
including
thesu renowned
fundadas razones para creer que s lo ley28.
26 De acuerdo con su sucesor, Desaguliers, John Keill fue el primero en ensear
fsica newtoniana mediante experimentos al modo matemtico (citado en Guerlac,
1981: 118).
27 Inicialmente, la contribucin de Maclaurin fue concebida como un complemento de una biografa de Newton proyectada por Conduitt, quien estaba casado con la
sobrina de Newton, Catherine Burton. Tras el fallecimiento de John Conduitt en 1737,
Colin Maclaurin continu trabajando en su proyecto que finalmente fue publicado dos
aos despus de su muerte (vase Strong, 1957: 54). Otras obras populares e influyentes
fueron Sir Isaac Newtons Philosophy Explaind for the Use of the Ladies (1737), de
Francesco Algarotti (1712-1764), y The Elogium of Sir Isaac Newton (1728), el clebre libro de Bernard de Fontenelle (1657-1757). Notable resulta The Newtonian System
of Philosophy, adapted to the Capacities of Young Gentlemen and Ladies (1761), que
contiene las famosas enseanzas de Tom Telescope (vase Secord, 1985).
28 En su biblioteca slo se encuentra A Treatise of Fluxions de Maclaurin (vase
Bonar, 1966: 107). Pero cuando Smith se refiere a las observaciones de Cassini menciona a Maclaurin, quien fue ms capaz de juzgar (Astronomy IV.58, 90). La anterior
es una razn de peso para creer que Smith estaba familiarizado con An Account of Sir
Isaac Newtons Discoveries, la famosa y popular obra de Maclaurin.

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
LEONIDAS
MONTES
269
with Chiles
unusual
electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
La recepcin de las ideas de Newton en Francia, as como el contexto
government during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
en que ello ocurri, fueron completamente distintos en comparacin con
galvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
Gran Bretaa. En un principio fue gracias a sus trabajos en el rea de la
1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
ptica y a su telescopio reflector que Newton adquiri renombre en los
might naturally weaken. In addition, the Concertacin, and even its component
crculos cientficos franceses. La obra Principia no fue ignorada en Francia,
parties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
sino simplemente refutada dentro de un marco cartesiano. Asimismo, Huyover social issues, such as the legal status of divorce and access to birth
gens y Leibniz fueron calificados crticos de la ley de gravedad de Newton,
control. Finally, by the 2005 elections, the Concertacin will have held the
y como herederos de la filosofa mecnica cartesiana, hicieron todo lo posipresidency and a majority in the Chamber of Deputies (the legislative house
ble por explicar la materia y su interaccin como una causa de la gravedad.
elected by popular vote) for 16 years. By the standards of multiparty
Si en Francia resultaba difcil aceptar la nocin de un vaco, la idea de
coalitions anywhere, much less among Latin Americas presidential
cuerpos que se atraen entre s sin ninguna causa material fue en general
systems, the Concertacin is geriatric, bearing the scars of miscellaneous
considerada absurda. En realidad la nocin ms arraigada en Francia era la
corruption charges against members, including the stripping of
insistencia en los mecanismos y el contacto entre los cuerpos. Esta ltima
parliamentary rights from five of the coalitions deputies in 2002, and the
idea estaba en conflicto con lo que propona Newton en cuanto a la existengeneral disillusionment that goes with holding the reins of power for so
cia de la gravitacin universal como una fuerza que opera a nivel universal e
long. One might conclude, then, that the coalition is simply ready to expire.
independientemente de cualquier contacto mecnico directo. Descartes haAny of these forces, or some combination of them, could indeed
ba definido la materia como un plenum que se extiende infinitamente, pero
undermine the Concertacin, but we do not regard these factors as
Newton formul su concepto de una gravitacin universal que opera en los
necessarily devastating to the coalitions survival for a number of reasons.
cuerpos in vacuo.
In the first place, the Chilean economy has come through the last five years
La clebre obra de Voltaire, Letters Concerning the English Nation
in far better 29
shape than that of any of its Southern Cone neighbors, and
(1733) , no slo populariz la figura de Newton, sino que adems revel el
employment and growth figures rebounded in first months of 2003. The
contexto de una gran divisin entre el cartesianismo francs y el newtoniaConcertacin may well be in a position in 2005 to claim credit for good
nismo britnico. El nuevo sistema de filosofa natural deba abrirse paso a
economic stewardship. Next, many of the issues surrounding the nontravs del slidamente establecido rgimen cartesiano, que estaba profundemocratic legacy of the Pinochet era including the renowned
damente institucionalizado en la comunidad cientfica francesa30. Slo por
citar un ejemplo, si bien en Escocia la Universidad de Glasgow tard ms en
aceptar inicialmente el newtonianismo, ya en 1711 se transform en parte de
la red newtoniana con la eleccin de Robert Simson (1687-1768) para ocupar
una ctedra de matemticas (Wood, 2003: 100). En la Universidad de Pars
las primeras ctedras newtonianas se impartieron en la dcada de 1740, pues
dicha institucin haba permanecido bajo el imperio del cartesianismo (va29 Especialmente la Carta XIV, On Des Cartes and Sir Isaac Newton, y en
menor medida la Carta XV, On Attraction, y la Carta XVI, On Sir Isaac Newtons
Opticks. Tengo una deuda de gratitud con Eric Schliesser por sealar que Voltaire
tambin public un tratado independiente en 1738 como un libro (bastante largo),
titulado Elmens de la Philosophie de Neuton.
30 Como ha sostenido Guerlac (1981), fueron Malebranche y sus discpulos,
especialmente Maupertius y Clairaut, quienes difundieron el legado de Newton en Francia, aunque tambin se ha sealado que ellos bsicamente procuraron reconciliar a
Newton con Descartes (vase Gascoigne, 2003: 299). Sobre la poderosa influencia que
ejercieron Malenbranche y sus seguidores para que Newton fuera aceptado en Francia,
vase Hankins (1967).

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
ESTUDIOS PBLICOS
with 270
Chiles unusual electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
se Jacob 1988: 201). De hecho [d]ada la tenacidad con que los miembros de
government during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
la Acadmie des Sciences francesa intentaron encontrar durante las primegalvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
ras tres dcadas del siglo XVIII una defensa matemtica del vrtice cartesia1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
no [] no resulta sorprendente que la fsica fenomenolgica de Newton
might naturally weaken. In addition, the Concertacin, and even its component
haya tardado en echar races en los colleges y universidades de la Europa
parties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
continental (Brockliss, 2003: 61, vase tambin: 85). Gran Bretaa, siguienover social issues, such as the legal status of divorce and access to birth
do una tradicin iniciada por Francis Bacon, dio mayor nfasis a la filosofa
control. Finally, by the 2005 elections, the Concertacin will have held the
experimental de Newton. Lo anterior dio origen a dos tradiciones opuestas
presidency and a majority in the Chamber of Deputies (the legislative house
en el mbito de la fsica: una matemtica y una experimental, que desde
elected by popular vote) for 16 years. By the standards of multiparty
entonces han afectado los enfoques que ambos pases aplican a la ciencia
coalitions anywhere, much less among Latin Americas presidential
natural (ibdem: 86). Fue slo a fines del siglo XVIII cuando Laplace,
systems, the Concertacin is geriatric, bearing the scars of miscellaneous
quien se autodenomin el Newton francs, logr finalmente imponer su
corruption charges against members, including the stripping of
propia agenda newtoniana a la comunidad cientfica francesa (Brockliss,
parliamentary rights from five of the coalitions deputies in 2002, and the
2003: 85).
general disillusionment that goes with holding the reins of power for so
Pero el desarrollo de ambas tradiciones estuvo estrechamente vinculong. One might conclude, then, that the coalition is simply ready to expire.
lado a la historia de las matemticas. Aun cuando Guicciardini (1989) ofrece
Any of these forces, or some combination of them, could indeed
una visin ms matizada, Florian Cajori, en su influyente obra A History of
undermine the Concertacin, but we do not regard these factors as
Mathematics (1901), declar:
necessarily devastating to the coalitions survival for a number of reasons.
In the first place,
the Chilean
economyenhas
five years
Los estudios
matemticos
el come
pueblothrough
ingls the
y ellast
alemn
se
in far betterhan
shape
thanenthat
of any
of itsdecadencia
Southern Cone
neighbors,
sumido
la ms
profunda
[1730-1820].
Entreand
employmentotros
and problemas,
growth figures
rebounded
in first months
of 2003.
The
se escogi
errneamente
la orientacin
de la
investigacin.
el primero
adhiri
con excesiva
Concertacin
may well beMientras
in a position
in 2005
to claim
credit forpargood
cialidad a antiguos
mtodos
el segundo cre
la
economic stewardship.
Next, many
of geomtricos,
the issues surrounding
the nonescuela
combinatoria,
la
cual
no
produjo
nada
de
valor.
Los
democratic legacy of the Pinochet era including the renowned
trabajos de Euler, Lagrange y Laplace se fundan en el anlisis
superior, y esa es un rea que ellos desarrollaron en un grado
extraordinario. (Ibdem: 246.)

Este juicio categrico sigue siendo objeto de debates, y muchas


publicaciones han demostrado que es exagerado. Con todo, para expresarlo
en trminos sencillos, haba una diferencia. Si en Gran Bretaa se aplic el
enfoque geomtrico a las matemticas, iniciado por Newton, los franceses
siguieron otro camino. Este enfoque analtico, pese a arrojar mejores resultados, es muy distinto de lo que los escoceses entendan por ciencia. Era
terico pero no siempre prctico; era elegante pero no siempre real. En
cuanto al papel de las matemticas, la tradicin escocesa interpret la idea
subyacente en Newton de que las matemticas son un instrumento para
describir la naturaleza y no un modelo de la realidad31. Asimismo, por lo
31 Guicciardini (1989) presenta un anlisis de las matemticas en Gran Bretaa
durante el siglo XVIII.

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
LEONIDAS
MONTES
271
with Chiles
unusual
electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
general conceban las matemticas, y en particular el clculo diferencial,
government during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
dentro de la tradicin geomtrica iniciada involuntariamente por Newton. La
galvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
superioridad de las matemticas analticas y del pensamiento abstracto fue
1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
ms generalizada y goz de mayor aceptacin dentro de la Ilustracin Franmight naturally weaken. In addition, the Concertacin, and even its component
cesa. La mente matemtica escocesa fue profundamente influida por el enfoparties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
que geomtrico de Colin Maclaurin y Robert Simson (vase Olson, 1971).
over social issues, such as the legal status of divorce and access to birth
La idea de una pugna entre la filosofa mecnica cartesiana y el
control. Finally, by the 2005 elections,
the Concertacin will have held the
newtonianismo no es original32, ni puede defenderse como un fenmeno
presidency and a majority in the Chamber of Deputies (the legislative house
generalizado. Pero a mi modo de ver existen fundamentos para suponer que
elected by popular vote) for 16 years. By the standards of multiparty
Gran Bretaa y Francia apoyaron a sus respectivos hroes intelectuales.
coalitions
anywhere,
less among
Latin Americas
presidential
Adems,
no slomuch
fue Escocia
una temprana
defensora del
newtonianismo,
systems,
the
Concertacin
is
geriatric,
bearing
the
scars
of
miscellaneous
sino que tambin se advierte un aspecto ms importante, y es que la Ilustracorruption
charges proporcion
against members,
the stripping
cin Escocesa
un marco including
nico para asimilar
y aplicarofrpidaparliamentary
rights
from
five
of
the
coalitions
deputies
in
2002,
and thegener
mente enfoques originales a las ideas de Newton. La filosofa natural
generalundisillusionment
that
goes
with
holding
the
reins
of
power
foryso
debate acerca de la metafsica en general (vase Stein, 2002),
sobre la
long. One
mightyconclude,
then,
that La
thedivergencia
coalition is simply
ready
expire. de la
teologa
la filosofa
moral.
en cuanto
a latonaturaleza
Any of these
forces, or de
some
combination
of them,
could
indeedmetafgravedad
y la naturaleza
la materia
conllevaba
diversos
aspectos
undermine
Concertacin,
but we do
not regard
these factors
as
sicos the
y teolgicos.
Esta discusin
result
ser especialmente
fructfera
en
necessarily
devastating
to the acoalitions
survival
for a number
Escocia,
y fue gracias
los escoceses
que Gran
Bretaa of
se reasons.
volvi rpidaIn the first
place,
the Chilean economy has come through the last five years
mente
newtoniana.
Las diferencias
entre las Cone
tradiciones
de pensamiento
in far better shape
than that metodolgicas
of any of its Southern
neighbors,
and
francsand
y britnica
consecuencia
de Newton,
pero The
de ningn
employment
growth son
figures
reboundeddel
inlegado
first months
of 2003.
modo forman
partebedelinmismo.
El patriotismo,
rivalidades
personales,
las
Concertacin
may well
a position
in 2005 to las
claim
credit for
good
distintas
agendas
cientficas,
las
idiosincrasias
polticas
y
culturales,
entre
economic stewardship. Next, many of the issues surrounding the nonotros factores,
a estaera
divisin.
Si Francia
general foment
democratic
legacy contribuyeron
of the Pinochet
including
theenrenowned
un mtodo axiomtico-deductivo, y Gran Bretaa una metodologa inductiva
basada en los experimentos y la observacin, Newton propugn un proceso
de aproximacin continua a la realidad enmarcado por un mtodo analticosinttico. Lo anterior confirma la tesis de que Adam Smith fue un refinado
intrprete de la metodologa de Newton, pero el contexto escocs podra
haber sido ms que una simple influencia indirecta en Smith.
32 Sobre la recepcin que las ideas de Newton tuvieron en Francia, en su obra
LIntroduction des Thories de Newton en France au XIII Sicle I: Avant 1738 (el
segundo tomo nunca apareci), Pierre Brunet seala que los cartesianos se opusieron al
newtonianismo en Francia, pero Guerlac (1981) sostiene que no hubo tal divisin
acadmica. Vase tambin Hall (1975). Por cierto que Opticks de Newton goz de
mayor popularidad, especialmente gracias a Malebranche y sus discpulos, y a Eloge, la
clebre obra de Fontenelle, leda por primera vez ante la Royal Academy of Sciences en
Pars en 1727. Un aspecto curioso, pero representativo, del cisma entre britnicos y
franceses es que en Francia (y en Europa continental) se adopt la notacin de Leibniz
para el clculo, mientras que en Gran Bretaa la notacin de Newton prevaleci durante
el siglo XVIII. Se trata de la famosa polmica del punto contra las d.

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
ESTUDIOS PBLICOS
with 272
Chiles unusual electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
Conclusin
government during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
galvanized En
around
opposition
to the Pinochet
the 1970s
and el
este ensayo
he procurado
revelar regime
en qu of
consisti
realmente
1980s,
so as time passes,
the compelling
forcefueofun
that
initial intrprete
motivationde la
newtonianismo,
argumentando
que Smith
refinado
might naturally weaken. In addition, the Concertacin, and even its component
verdadera metodologa de Newton. Al cuestionar la visin generalmente
parties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
aceptada segn la cual Smith, basndose en la extendida influencia de
over social issues, such as the legal status of divorce and access to birth
Newton, sera el padre de la teora del equilibrio econmico general, sostuve
control. Finally, by the 2005 elections, the Concertacin will have held the
que, por algunas importantes razones metodolgicas, ni Adam Smith ni tampresidency and a majority in the Chamber of Deputies (the legislative house
poco Newton pueden ser considerados precursores de esta teora. Si la
elected by popular vote) for 16 years. By the standards of multiparty
teora del equilibrio econmico general se funda en una metodologa axiocoalitions anywhere, much less among Latin Americas presidential
mtico-deductiva, y si su evolucin ha estado estrechamente asociada a un
systems, the Concertacin is geriatric, bearing the scars of miscellaneous
desarrollo matemtico, la metodologa de Newton era ms matizada.
corruption charges against members, including the stripping of
En mi opinin, una interpretacin cuidadosa del legado de un autor
parliamentary rights from five of the coalitions deputies in 2002, and the
debera resaltar no slo lo que el autor dijo, sino por qu y cmo lo dijo,
general disillusionment that goes with holding the reins of power for so
el texto,then,
el contexto
el lenguaje
cumplen
un papel
significalong.vale
Onedecir
mightque
conclude,
that theycoalition
is simply
ready
to expire.
tivo
e interdependiente.
significado
las ideas
Any
of these forces, El
or verdadero
some combination
ofde
them,
couldrequiere
indeed ms
que
un
simple
anlisis
textual.
Creo
que
el
xito
de
la
historia
intelectual
undermine the Concertacin, but we do not regard these factors
as
reside
en
la
a
menudo
esquiva
combinacin
de
cada
una
de
estas
tres comnecessarily devastating to the coalitions survival for a number of reasons.
Al the
hacerse
hincapi
slo has
en el
textothrough
se correra
el riesgo
de leer a
In theponentes.
first place,
Chilean
economy
come
the last
five years
un
autor
como
si
el
texto
hubiera
sido
escrito
por
un
contemporneo
in far better shape than that of any of its Southern Cone neighbors, and(una
prctica habitual
cuando
se lee
a Adam Smith
un economista
moderemployment
and growth
figures
rebounded
in firstcomo
months
of 2003. The
no). Al concentrarnos
el contexto
podramos
dejar de
Concertacin
may well be exclusivamente
in a position in en
2005
to claim credit
for good
captar
la
verdadera
esencia
de
lo
que
dice
el
texto
y
la
intencin
del
autor al
economic stewardship. Next, many of the issues surrounding the nonusar
determinadas
palabras.
El
que
las
palabras,
aparentemente
sencillas,
democratic legacy of the Pinochet era including the renowned
pero el mismo tiempo profundamente complejas, tienen verdadera importancia, es una verdad que trasciende a Wittgenstein. Sin embargo, al ponerse
excesivo acento slo en los enfoques hermenuticos la Foucault, se correra el riesgo de desencadenar un proceso en el que el autor y su contexto
podran simplemente desaparecer.
En la teora econmica generalmente hemos dado por sentada la existencia de una suerte de equilibrio econmico en el pensamiento de Smith,
un germen que se desarroll en una direccin por todos conocida. Las
referencias comunes a la mano invisible reflejan esta visin popular y generalizada. Sin embargo, el equilibrio de Newton aplicado a la teora econmica
se transformara ms bien en un tipo de desequilibrio. Por otra parte, a nivel
de la historia de las ideas sostuve que se produjo un cambio de rumbo
cientfico e histrico. Si la Ilustracin Escocesa tena una manera geomtrica de entender la realidad, poderosamente influida por Newton, fue una
transicin en la Europa continental, especialmente en Francia, lo que prepa-

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
LEONIDAS
MONTES
273
with Chiles
unusual
electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
r el camino hacia la formulacin de la teora del equilibrio econmico genegovernment during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
ral. La percepcin anterior tiene connotaciones realistas que contrastan con
galvanized around opposition to the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and
un nfasis en la abstraccin. Muchas reconstrucciones y especulaciones
1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
racionales pueden derivar de esta intuicin, pero una consecuencia invomight naturally weaken. In addition, the Concertacin, and even its component
luntaria de esta investigacin es que Adam Smith, como miembro de la
parties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
Ilustracin Escocesa, comprendi el newtonianismo mucho ms claramente
over social issues, such as the legal status of divorce and access to birth
de lo que se ha admitido en general.
control. Finally, by the 2005 elections, the Concertacin will have held the
presidency and a majority in the Chamber of Deputies (the legislative house
elected by popular vote) for 16 years. By the standards of multiparty
REFERENCIAS BIBLIOGRFICAS
coalitions anywhere, much less among Latin Americas presidential
systems, the Concertacin is geriatric, bearing the scars of miscellaneous
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but we
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mayreferencias
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in a position
in 2005
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credit for
good de las
las divisiones,
prrafo(s)
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pgina(s)
economic
stewardship.
manyFund,
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ediciones
en ingls Next,
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University
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basadas
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edicin
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legacy
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Pinochet
including
renowned
la Universidad de Glasgow:
(Corr.) Correspondence of Adam Smith. E. C. Mossner e I. S. Ross (eds.). Indianpolis:
Liberty Fund, 1987 [Oxford University Press, 1977, 1987].
(EPS) Essays on Philosophical Subjects. W. P. D., Wightman y J. C. Bryce (eds.).
Indianpolis: Liberty Fund, 1982 [Oxford University Press, 1980].
(LJ) Lectures on Jurisprudence. R. L. Meek, D. D. Raphael y P. G. Stein (eds.).
Indianpolis: Liberty Fund, 1982 [Oxford University Press, 1978].
(LRBL) Lectures on Rethoric and Belles Lettres. J. C. Bryce (ed.). Indianpolis: Liberty
Fund, 1985 [Oxford University Press, 1983].
(RN) An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations [WN 1776]. R. H.
Campbell y A. S. Skinner (eds.). Indianpolis: Liberty Fund, 1981 [Oxford
University Press, 1976, 1979].
(TSM) The Theory of Moral Sentiments [TMS 1759]. D. D. Raphael y A. A. Macfie
(eds.). Indianpolis: Liberty Fund, 1984 [Oxford University Press, 1976,
1979].

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
ESTUDIOS PBLICOS
with 274
Chiles unusual electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
b) Otros autores citados
government during the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
galvanized
around
opposition
to the
PinochetAnalysis.
regimeSan
of Francisco:
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and
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[1962] 1997.
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Finally, by the 2005 elections, the Concertacin will have held the
Brewster, D.: The Life of Sir Isaac Newton. London: John Murray, 1831.
presidency
andMemoirs
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from five
of the coalitions
and the
Brunet, P.: rights
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general disillusionment
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the
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of
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N
1
(2000),
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Any of these forces, or some combination of them, could indeed
Cajori, Florian: A History of Mathematics. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1901.
undermine the Concertacin, but we do not regard these factors as
Chandra, R.: Adam Smith and Competitive Equilibrium. En Evolutionary and
necessarily Institutional
devastatingEconomics
to the coalitions
survival for a number of reasons.
Review 1, 1 (2004), pp. 57-83.
In theCleaver,
first place,
Chilean
has come
throughofthe
last five
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Smitheconomy
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27, N 76
in far better(1989),
shapepp.
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B.: The
Newtonian
Revolution.
WithinIllustrations
of the
employment
growth
figures
rebounded
first months
of Transformation
2003. The of
Scientific
Ideas.be
Cambridge:
Cambridge
University
Press,credit
1980. for good
Concertacin
may well
in a position
in 2005
to claim
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economic stewardship. Next, many of the issues surrounding the nonThe Case of the Missing Paradigm. En P. Mirowski (ed.), Natural Images in
democraticEconomic
legacy Thought
of theMarkets
Pinochet
including
the renowned
Readera
in Tooth
and Claw. Cambridge:
Cambridge
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Cambridge University Press, 2002.
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Press, 1999.
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G. E. Smith (ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Newton. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press, 2002.

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
LEONIDAS
MONTES
275
with Chiles
unusual
electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
Hall, A. R.: Newton in France: A New View. En History of Science, Vol. 13 (1975),
government during
the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
pp. 233-256.
galvanized
around
opposition
to the Pinochet
regime
of theCambridge
1970s and
Isaac Newton. Adventurer
in Thought.
Cambridge:
University
1980s, so as Press,
time passes,
1992. the compelling force of that initial motivation
Hetherington,
N. S.:InIsaac
Newtons
Influence of and
Adam
Smiths
Natural Laws in
might naturally
weaken.
addition,
the Concertacin,
even
its component
Economics.
En
Journal
of
the
History
of
Ideas,
Vol.
44,
N
3
(1983), pp. 497parties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
505.
over social issues, such as the legal status of divorce and access to birth
Hollander, S.: Classical Economies. Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1987.
control.
Finally, The
by the
2005 elections,
the Concertacin
will have
held the Books,
Economics
of Adam Smith.
London: Heinemann
Educational
presidency and
a majority in the Chamber of Deputies (the legislative house
1973.
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Meaning
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electedJacob,
by popular
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years.of By
the standards
of multiparty
Knopf, 1988.
coalitions anywhere,
much less among Latin Americas presidential
Keynes, J. M.: Newton, The Man. En D. Moggridge (ed.), Essays in Biography, Vol.
systems,
the Concertacin is geriatric, bearing the scars of miscellaneous
X. The Collected Writings of John Maynard Keynes. London: Macmillan for
corruption charges
against members, including the stripping of
the Royal Economic Society, 1972.
parliamentary
rights
from
of the
coalitions
in 2002,
and the Papers
Kuhn, T. S.: Newtonsfive
Optical
Papers.
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Cohen (ed.),
Isaac Newtons
general disillusionment
goes Philosophy.
with holding
the reins
of power
for so Press,
& Letters onthat
Natural
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Cambridge
University
1958.
long. One might conclude, then, that the coalition is simply ready to expire.
Lawson,
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Any ofT.:
these
forces,& or
someLondon:
combination
of1997.
them, could indeed
Longuet-Higgins, H. C.: The History of Astronomy: A Twentieth-Century View. En
undermine the Concertacin, but we do not regard these factors as
P. Jones y A. Skinner (ed.), Adam Smith Reviewed. Edinburgh: Edinburgh
necessarily devastating
to the1992.
coalitions survival for a number of reasons.
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In the first
place,C.:
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its Southern Cone neighbors, and
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F. E.:
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of Isaacrebounded
Newton: Cambridge,
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employment
growth
in first months
of 2003.
ThePress of
Harvard University Press, 1968.
Concertacin may well be in a position in 2005 to claim credit for good
Mas-Collel, A., M. D. Whinston y J. R. Gereen: Microeconomic Theory, Oxford:
economic stewardship.
Next, many of the issues surrounding the nonOxford University Press, 1995.
democratic
legacy
of the Pinochet
including
renowned
McGuire,
J. E.: Newtons
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of Philosophy:
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History of Ideas, Vol. 32, N 1 (1971), pp. 29-44.

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
ESTUDIOS PBLICOS
with 276
Chiles unusual electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy
has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
Redman, D. A.: Adam Smith and Isaac Newton. En Scottish Journal of Political
governmentEconomy,
during the
coalition itself was initially
Vol.1990s.
40, N 2Moreover,
(1993), pp. the
210-230.
galvanized
around
opposition
to
the
Pinochet
regime
of theScience.
1970sNew
andYork:
Robbins, L.: An Essay on the Nature and Significance
of Economic
Macmillan
and
Co,
[1932]
1962.
1980s, so as time passes, the compelling force of that initial motivation
Samuelson,
Economic
Theorythe
andConcertacin,
Mathematics. and
An even
Appraisal.
En American
might
naturally P.:
weaken.
In addition,
its component
Economic Review, Vol. 33, N 2 (1952), pp. 56-66.
parties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
Schliesser, E.: Some Principles of Adam Smiths Newtonian Methods in the Wealth
over social ofissues,
such
the legal
status of
of Economic
divorce and
access
birth
Nations.
Enas
Research
in History
Thought
and to
Methodology,
control. Finally,
by the
2005
the Concertacin will have held the
Vol. 23A
(2005),
pp.elections,
35-77.

in the
of Scientific
Revolutions:
Adam
Smith on
Newtons
presidency
andRealism
a majority
in Face
the Chamber
of Deputies
(the
legislative
house
of vote)
Copernicanism.
Por aparecer
en British
Journal
the History of
elected by Proof
popular
for 16 years.
By the
standards
of for
multiparty
Philosophy. much less among Latin Americas presidential
coalitions anywhere,
Schumpeter, J. A.: History of Economic Analysis. Routledge: London, [1954] 1994.
systems, the Concertacin is geriatric, bearing the scars of miscellaneous
Secord, J. A.: Newton in the Nursery: Tom Telescope and the Philosophy of Tops
corruptionand
charges
against En
members,
of 127Balls, 1761-1838.
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23 Nstripping
60 (1985), pp.
parliamentary
151.rights from five of the coalitions deputies in 2002, and the
Shepherd,
C. M.: Newtonianism
Scottish
Universities
in theofSeventeenth
general
disillusionment
that goes inwith
holding
the reins
power forCentury.
so
En
R.
H.
Campbell
y
A.
S.
Skinner
(ed.),
The
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&
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of
the
long. One might conclude, then, that the coalition is simply ready to expire.Scottish
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Any of these forces, or some combination of them, could indeed
Skinner, A. S.: Adam Smith: An Aspect of Modern Economics?. En Scottish Journal
undermine ofthe
Concertacin,
but26,we
not pp.
regard
these factors as
Political
Economy, Vol.
N 2do(1979),
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necessarily
devastating
to
the
coalitions
survival
for
a
number
of reasons.
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R. Scazzierir
y A. Skinner
(ed.), Knowledge,
Social
Institutions
andthe
thelast
Division
of Labour.
In the first place,
the Chilean
economy has
come
through
five years
Edward
in far betterCheltenham:
shape than
that Elgar,
of any2001.
of its Southern Cone neighbors, and
Smith, G. and
E.: The
Methodology
the Principia.
En I. months
B. Cohenof
y G.
E. Smith
employment
growth
figures ofrebounded
in first
2003.
The(ed.),
The Cambridge Companion to Newton. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Concertacin may well be in a position in 2005 to claim credit for good
Press, 2002.
economic
Next, Keynes,
many ofandtheYahuda:
issues The
surrounding
Spargo,stewardship.
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democraticManuscripts.
legacy of En
theP. Pinochet
the renowned
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University Press, 1980.

www.cepchile.cl

impossible to assign responsibility among them. We share the opinion that


the Concertacin may well dissolve before Chiles next election, but not for
the reasons commonly cited. Our argument is based, instead, on the
structure of Chilean political careers, which in turn is connected inextricably
LEONIDAS
MONTES
277
with Chiles
unusual
electoral rules.
Harbingers of the Concertacins demise point out that the Chilean
economy has slowed somewhat since the coalitions early years in
Westfall, R. S.: The Life of Isaac Newton. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
government during
the 1990s. Moreover, the coalition itself was initially
1993.
galvanized
around
opposition
theSorcerer.
Pinochet
regime
of Estate,
the 1970s
White, M.: Isaac Newton. ThetoLast
London:
Fourth
1998. and
1980s,Winch,
so as D.:
timeAdam
passes,
the compelling
force
of En
thatScottish
initial Journal
motivation
Smiths
Problems and
Ours.
of Political
Economy,
44, N 4 (1997),
pp. 384-402.and even its component
might naturally
weaken.Vol.
In addition,
the Concertacin,
parties most notably the Christian Democrats are internally divided
over social issues, such as the legal status of divorce and access to birth
control. Finally, by the 2005 elections, the Concertacin will have held the
presidency and a majority in the Chamber of Deputies (the legislative house
elected by popular vote) for 16 years. By the standards of multiparty
coalitions anywhere, much less among Latin Americas presidential
systems, the Concertacin is geriatric, bearing the scars of miscellaneous
corruption charges against members, including the stripping of
parliamentary rights from five of the coalitions deputies in 2002, and the
general disillusionment that goes with holding the reins of power for so
long. One might conclude, then, that the coalition is simply ready to expire.
Any of these forces, or some combination of them, could indeed
undermine the Concertacin, but we do not regard these factors as
necessarily devastating to the coalitions survival for a number of reasons.
In the first place, the Chilean economy has come through the last five years
in far better shape than that of any of its Southern Cone neighbors, and
employment and growth figures rebounded in first months of 2003. The
Concertacin may well be in a position in 2005 to claim credit for good
economic stewardship. Next, many of the issues surrounding the nondemocratic legacy of the Pinochet era including the renowned

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