Cartesian linguistics

A term used by some linguists to refer to any LINGUISTIC theories or methods which, it is claimed, illustrate the influence of the French philosopher René Descartes (1596–1650) and the GRAMMARIANS of PORT ROYAL. The discussion of UNIVERSALS in GENERATIVE linguistics, in particular, draws certain parallels with Cartesian views concerning the relationship between language and thought. This interpretation of the history of linguistic thought has remained controversial, since its initial statement by Noam Chomsky.