ART. 17. The functions of the soul Having thus considered all the functions that pertain to the body alone, it is easy to recognize that there remain… - René Descartes

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ART. 17. The functions of the soul Having thus considered all the functions that pertain to the body alone, it is easy to recognize that there remains nothing in us that we should ascribe to the soul except our thoughts, of which there are two main kinds: the actions of the soul and its passions. By its actions I mean all our volitions, since we experience these as coming directly from our soul, and as apparently depending on it alone. Whereas, on the other hand, the term ‘passions’ can be applied in general to all the kinds of perception or knowledge to be found within us, because it is often not our soul that makes them what they are, and because they are always produced in us by the things they represent.

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About René Descartes

René Descartes (March 31, 1596 – February 11, 1650) was a highly influential French philosopher, mathematician, physicist and writer. He is known for his influential arguments for substance dualism, where mind and body are considered to have distinct essences, one being characterized by thought, the other by spatial extension. He has been dubbed the "Father of Modern Philosophy" and the "Father of Modern Mathematics." He is also known as Cartesius.

Biography information from Wikiquote

Also Known As

Alternative Names: Descartes Cartesius Renatus Cartesius Renė Dekartas

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Έκρινα ότι τίποτα γερό δεν μπορούσε να έχει χριστεί πάνω σε τόσο ασταθή θεμέλια

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J'ai été nourri aux lettres dès mon enfance, et pour ce qu'on me persuadait que par leur moyen on pouvait acquérir une connaissance claire et assurée de tout ce qui est utile à la vie, j'avais un extrême désir de les apprendre. Mais sitôt que j'eus achevé tout ce cours d'études au bout duquel on a coutume d'être reçu au rang des doctes, je changeai entièrement d'opinion. Car je me trouvais embarassé de tant de doutes et d'erreurs qu'il me semblait n'avoir fait autre profit en tachant de m'instruire, sinon que j'avais découvert de plus en plus mon ignorance. (1ere partie, para 6)

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