Abstract
Since he was a leading figure in nineteenth century architecture, Viollet-le-Duc's architectural theory is crucial to the foundation of modern architecture. He has been called a Gothic Revivalist, a Structural Rationalist and a Positivist. The first title was perhaps due to his vigorous restoration of Gothic works such as $N\hat{o}tre$ Dame, but he did not adore the Gothic style just for itself. Rather, he hoped to deduce some principles from the style. So how did he manage this? In his book "Entretiens sur l'Architecture (Lectures on Architecture), published between 1864 and 1872, he mentions using Descartes' four rules for reaching architectural certainty in contrast with the chaotic situation during that modernising period. Furthermore Viollet-le-Duc's theory can be seen as a serious attempt to translates Descartes' philosophical rules into systems of architectural speculation. Descartes' four rules of doubt are anchored in mathematical propositions, and without mathematical distinctions, none of these rules are valid. In other word, mathematics for Viollet is the yardstick of judgement between distinctness and indistinctness. Many architectural problems arise from this view. In this paper, the validities of applying Descartes' method of doubt to architectural discourse will be discussed in order to address the question:-Did Viollet-le-Duc clearly grasp Cartesian method by which memory was erased from the world?