René Descartes
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| '''René Descartes''' ([[March 31]], [[1596]] – [[February 11]], [[1650]]) was a [[French philosophy|French philosopher]], [[scientist]], and [[writer]]. he has been dubbed the "Father of [[Modern Philosophy]]" and the "Father of Modern Mathematics," and much of subsequent [[Western philosophy]] is a reaction to his writings, which have been closely studied from his time down to the present day. He was one of the key figures in the [[Scientific Revolution]]. | '''René Descartes''' ([[March 31]], [[1596]] – [[February 11]], [[1650]]) was a [[French philosophy|French philosopher]], [[scientist]], and [[writer]]. he has been dubbed the "Father of [[Modern Philosophy]]" and the "Father of Modern Mathematics," and much of subsequent [[Western philosophy]] is a reaction to his writings, which have been closely studied from his time down to the present day. He was one of the key figures in the [[Scientific Revolution]]. | ||
| + | == Dualism == | ||
| + | :''[[Mind-body dichotomy]], [[dualism]]'' | ||
| + | Descartes in his [[Passions of the Soul]] and [[The Description of the Human Body]] suggested that the body works like a [[machine]], that it has the material properties of extension and motion, and that it follows the laws of physics. The [[mind]] (or [[soul]]), on the other hand, was described as a [[mental world|nonmaterial]] entity that lacks extension and motion, and does not follow the laws of physics. Descartes argued that only humans have minds, and that the mind interacts with the body at the [[pineal gland]]. This form of [[dualism]] or duality proposes that the mind controls the body, but that the body can also influence the otherwise rational mind, such as when people act out of passion. Most of the previous accounts of the relationship between mind and body had been uni-directional. | ||
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| + | Descartes suggested that the [[pineal gland]] is "the seat of the soul" for several reasons. First, the soul is unitary, and unlike many areas of the brain the pineal gland appeared to be unitary (though subsequent microscopic inspection has revealed it is formed of two hemispheres). Second, Descartes observed that the pineal gland was located near the [[ventricular system|ventricles]]. He believed the [[cerebrospinal fluid]] of the ventricles acted through the nerves to control the body, and that the pineal gland influenced this process. Finally, although Descartes realized that both humans and animals have pineal glands (see ''Passions of the Soul'' Part One, Section 50, AT 369), he believed that only humans have minds. This led him to the belief that animals cannot feel pain, and Descartes' practice of [[vivisection]] (the dissection of live animals) became widely used throughout Europe until the [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]]. | ||
| + | Cartesian dualism set the agenda for philosophical discussion of the [[mind-body problem]] for many years after Descartes' death. The question of how a nonmaterial mind could influence a material body, without invoking supernatural explanations, remains controversial to this day. | ||
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| + | Later in correspondence with Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia, he admitted he had no idea how the mind interacted with the body, abandoning the concept of the pineal glands as connection. | ||
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René Descartes (March 31, 1596 – February 11, 1650) was a French philosopher, scientist, and writer. he has been dubbed the "Father of Modern Philosophy" and the "Father of Modern Mathematics," and much of subsequent Western philosophy is a reaction to his writings, which have been closely studied from his time down to the present day. He was one of the key figures in the Scientific Revolution.
Dualism
Descartes in his Passions of the Soul and The Description of the Human Body suggested that the body works like a machine, that it has the material properties of extension and motion, and that it follows the laws of physics. The mind (or soul), on the other hand, was described as a nonmaterial entity that lacks extension and motion, and does not follow the laws of physics. Descartes argued that only humans have minds, and that the mind interacts with the body at the pineal gland. This form of dualism or duality proposes that the mind controls the body, but that the body can also influence the otherwise rational mind, such as when people act out of passion. Most of the previous accounts of the relationship between mind and body had been uni-directional.
Descartes suggested that the pineal gland is "the seat of the soul" for several reasons. First, the soul is unitary, and unlike many areas of the brain the pineal gland appeared to be unitary (though subsequent microscopic inspection has revealed it is formed of two hemispheres). Second, Descartes observed that the pineal gland was located near the ventricles. He believed the cerebrospinal fluid of the ventricles acted through the nerves to control the body, and that the pineal gland influenced this process. Finally, although Descartes realized that both humans and animals have pineal glands (see Passions of the Soul Part One, Section 50, AT 369), he believed that only humans have minds. This led him to the belief that animals cannot feel pain, and Descartes' practice of vivisection (the dissection of live animals) became widely used throughout Europe until the Enlightenment. Cartesian dualism set the agenda for philosophical discussion of the mind-body problem for many years after Descartes' death. The question of how a nonmaterial mind could influence a material body, without invoking supernatural explanations, remains controversial to this day.
Later in correspondence with Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia, he admitted he had no idea how the mind interacted with the body, abandoning the concept of the pineal glands as connection.
