The Passions of the Soul and Other Late Philosophical Writings (Oxford World's Classics)

'Those most capable of being moved by passion are those capable of tasting the most sweetness in this life.' Descartes is most often thought of as introducing a total separation of mind and body. But he also acknowledged the intimate union between them, and in his later writings he concentrated on understanding this aspect of human nature. The Passions of the Soul is his greatest contribution to this debate. It contains a profound discussion of the workings of the emotions and of their place in human life - a subject that increasingly engages the interest of philosophers and intellectual and cultural historians. It also sets out a view of ethics that has been seen as a radical reorientation of moral philosophy. This volume also includes both sides of the correspondence with Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia, one of Descartes's keenest disciples and shrewdest critics, which played a crucial role in the genesis of The Passions , as well as the first part of The Principles of Philosophy , which sets out the key positions of Descartes's philosophical system. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more. Descartes Is Most Often Thought Of As Introducing A Total Separation Of Mind And Body. But He Also Acknowledged The Intimate Union Between Them, And In His Later Writings He Concentrated On Understanding This Aspect Of Human Nature. The Passions Of The Soul Is His Greatest Contribution To This Debate. It Contains A Profound Discussion Of The Workings Of The Emotions And Of Their Place In Human Life - A Subject That Increasingly Engages The Interest Of Philosophers And Intellectual And Cultural Historians. It Also Sets Out A View Of Ethics That Has Been Seen As A Radical Reorientation Of Moral Philosophy. This Volume Also Includes Both Sides Of The Correspondence With Princess Elisabeth Of Bohemia, One Of Descartes's Keenest Disciples And Shrewdest Critics, Which Played A Crucial Role In The Genesis Of The Passions, As Well As The First Part Of The Principles Of Philosophy, Which Sets Out The Key Positions Of Descartes's Philosophical System.-- A Chronology Of René Descartes -- Correspondence With Princess Elisabeth Of Bohemia, 1643-1649 -- Principles Of Philosophy, Part I (1644, 1647) -- Other Letters -- The Passions Of The Soul (1649) -- Appendix: A Note On Descartes's Physics. René Descartes ; Translated With An Introduction And Notes By Michael Moriarty. Translated From The French. Select Bibliography: Pages [xxxiv]-xxxvi. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Cover 1 Contents 8 List of Abbreviations 10 Introduction 12 A Note on the Text, Translations, and References 31 Select Bibliography 35 A Chronology of René Descartes 38 CORRESPONDENCE WITH PRINCESS ELISABETH OF BOHEMIA, 1643–1649 40 PRINCIPLES OF PHILOSOPHY, Part I (1644, 1647) 158 OTHER LETTERS 206 To Father Denis Mesland, SJ, 2 May 1644 and 9 February 1645 208 To the Marquess of Newcastle, 23 November 1646 215 To Pierre Chanut, 6 June 1647 219 To Antoine Arnauld, 29 July 1648 224 THE PASSIONS OF THE SOUL (1649) 230 Appendix: A Note on Descartes’s Physics 320 Explanatory Notes 323 Index 392 The Passions of the Soul is Descartes's greatest contribution to the understanding of the union of mind and body. It discusses the emotions and their place in human life. This volume also includes both sides of the correspondence with Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia, crucial to the genesis of the work, and Part I of The Principles of Philosophy.