Rene Descartes

Rene Descartes (1596-1650)

French philosopher known for his dualism and contributions to rationalism

Soul and body

Soul is completely separate from the body but functions in parallel with it

God and hierarchy of objects

God is the infinite and highest substance in the material world, while humans are lower and part of nature

Animal spirit

Gives energy and vitality to the body; filtered through the pineal gland in the mid-brain

Pineal gland

Controls the flow of animal spirit; if open, it allows movement; if closed, the body remains motionless

External stimuli

Stimuli like touch and sound affect the flow of animal spirit by reaching the nerves

Impulses

External events tied to self-preservation are linked to pleasure or pain, driving human actions

Pleasure and pain

Impulses for self-preservation bring pleasure, while harmful ones cause pain

Rational-cognitive therapy

Descartes' ideas form the basis of therapies where people question their impulses and desires