![44. René Descartes (1596-1650)
The French mathematician and philosopher, René Descartes, developed a system of dualism which distinguishes between the “mind,” whose essence is thinking, and “matter,” whose essence is extension into space. This dualism influenced his mechanical interpretation of nature and therefore of the human body. He believed that the laws of physics and mathematics explain human physiology. According to One Hundred Books Famous in Medicine, De homine, “is the first work in the history of science and medicine to construct a unified system of human physiology that presents man as a purely material and mechanical being: man as machine de terre.” [One Hundred Books 117] This concept helped free the study of physiology from the constraints of religion and culture. De homineis an important early textbook of physiology, but empirically flawed because Descartes’ practical knowledge of his subject was inadequate.
Descartes originally planned to publish De homine in 1633, but hearing of Galileo’s condemnation by the Church, he became concerned for his own safety and refused to have it printed. Consequently, the first edition of this work appeared 12 years after Descartes’ death. Our French edition, L’homme, also includes la formation du foetus which explains reproductive generation in physiological terms.
Lähde: http://historical.hsl.virginia.edu/treasures/descartes.html
P: René Descartes | Renni Teskarttula
A: Sniffing around | Haistelee ympäriinsä
O: Papermoney | Paperiraha](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsstsjtGR51r2bm9to1_400.jpg)
44. René Descartes (1596-1650)
The French mathematician and philosopher, René Descartes, developed a system of dualism which distinguishes between the “mind,” whose essence is thinking, and “matter,” whose essence is extension into space. This dualism influenced his mechanical interpretation of nature and therefore of the human body. He believed that the laws of physics and mathematics explain human physiology. According to One Hundred Books Famous in Medicine, De homine, “is the first work in the history of science and medicine to construct a unified system of human physiology that presents man as a purely material and mechanical being: man as machine de terre.” [One Hundred Books 117] This concept helped free the study of physiology from the constraints of religion and culture. De homineis an important early textbook of physiology, but empirically flawed because Descartes’ practical knowledge of his subject was inadequate.
Descartes originally planned to publish De homine in 1633, but hearing of Galileo’s condemnation by the Church, he became concerned for his own safety and refused to have it printed. Consequently, the first edition of this work appeared 12 years after Descartes’ death. Our French edition, L’homme, also includes la formation du foetus which explains reproductive generation in physiological terms.
Lähde: http://historical.hsl.virginia.edu/treasures/descartes.htmlP: René Descartes | Renni Teskarttula
A: Sniffing around | Haistelee ympäriinsä
O: Papermoney | Paperiraha
