Descartes and Diseases of the Spirit: the Melancholy

Authors

  • Sergio García Rodríguez Universidad de las Islas Baleares

Keywords:

Descartes, disease, madness, medicine, melancholy, mind

Abstract

This article analyses the mental disease that Descartes calls «melancholy» in order to demonstrate how health is necessary for the attainment of a good life. For this aim, firstly, it is established the physiological explanation of the pathology and in which sense the disequilibrium in the organs affects the faculties of the mind. Secondly, it is examined how melancholy is conceived by Descartes under his notion of health. Finally, it is determined the impact that this condition has in the search for the Cartesian good life.

Keywords: Descartes, disease, madness, medicine, melancholy, mind

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Issue

Vol. 10 (2017)

Section

Dossier: Descartes and the Medicine

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