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René Descartes

Historical Figure

René Descartes (1596-1650) was a philosopher and mathematician known for his statement "Cogito, ergo sum" and his work on mind-body dualism. He attended the Jesuit College of La Flèche (c. 1604-1614) and served in the Dutch and Bavarian armies (1618-1620). He corresponded with Marin Mersenne and tutored Queen Christina of Sweden (1649-1650), later facing posthumous condemnation for rationalism.

philosopher who identified the pineal gland as the seat of the soul

Quick Facts

Affiliations

Institutional Connections

affiliated
Yale University

student

Studied law for a brief period.

1616–1616