Seventeenth-century substantial dualism and the foundation of a general theory of emotions

taxonomy and functioning of affects in René Descartes’s philosophy

Authors

Keywords:

Emotions, Cartesian dualism, Ethics, Philosophy of mind, Modern Western philosophy

Abstract

This review examines the Portuguese translation of the treatise Les passions de l'âme by the French philosopher René Descartes (1596–1650), who undertakes an integration of anatomy, physiology, and metaphysics to account for human sentiments. The author proposes a separation between mind and body and locates human interaction within the pineal gland through the mediation of animal spirits. The second part classifies primitive passions into wonder, love, hatred, desire, joy, and sadness. The third section details derivative emotions, identifying generosity as the central virtue for mastering instincts. In addition to the aforementioned points, Descartes advocates for the rational regulation of emotions grounded in the understanding of their physiological causes, aiming for a virtuous moral life. It is suggested that the dualistic model inaugurated a medical tradition by bifurcating the rational dimension from affectivity, engendering theoretical tensions that persist today. The reviewer reinforces the theoretical relevance of the French philosopher within modern philosophical debates concerning ethics and the human mind.

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Author Biography

Fábio Luiz Nunes, Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais (CEFET-MG)

Brazilian researcher. He holds a Master's degree and is a PhD candidate in Linguistic Studies at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). He holds a specialist certificate in Didactics, Teaching Practices, and Educational Technologies from the Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), a specialization in Teacher Training for the Digital Culture from the State University of Montes Claros (Unimontes), and a specialization in Rhetoric and Discourse Analysis in Advertising and Propaganda from the University of Araraquara. He earned his degree in Psychology from the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Minas Gerais. He is a technical-administrative staff member at the Federal Center for Technological Education of Minas Gerais (CEFET-MG). Lattes CV: http://lattes.cnpq.br/3054450943770058. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0784-1921. Email: fabio.nunes.fln@cefetmg.br.

References

ALBUQUERQUE, J.; DESHAUER, D.; GROF, P. Descartes’ passions of the soul: seeds of psychiatry?. Journal of Affective Disorders, [s. l.], v. 76, p. 285-291, 2003.

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DESCARTES, R. As paixões da alma. Trad. Ciro Mioranza. São Paulo: Lafonte, 2021. Título original: Les passions de l’âme. Publicado originalmente em 1649.

HATFIELD, G. The passions of the soul and Descartes’s machine psychology. Studies in History and Philosophy of Science, [s. l.], v. 38, n. 1, p. 1-35, 2007.

SHAPIRO, L. Descartes’ passions of the soul and the union of mind and body. Archiv für Geschichte der Philosophie, [s. l.], v. 85, p. 211-248, 2003.

SHAPIRO, L. Descartes’ passions of the soul. Philosophy Compass, [s. l.], v. 1, n. 3, p. 268-278, 2006.

TAYLOR, J. Resenha de: DESCARTES, R. The passions of the soul and other late philosophical writings. Edited by M. Moriarty. Oxford (Reino Unido): Oxford University Press, 2015. 400 p. British Journal for the History of Philosophy, [s. l.], p. 1-3, 2017.

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Published

2026-08-23

How to Cite

NUNES, Fábio Luiz. Seventeenth-century substantial dualism and the foundation of a general theory of emotions: taxonomy and functioning of affects in René Descartes’s philosophy. Barricadas: Revista de Filosofia e Interdisciplinaridade, Bacabal, v. 4, n. 1, p. 151–157, 2026. Disponível em: https://www.periodicoseletronicos.ufma.br/index.php/barricadas/article/view/29161. Acesso em: 24 aug. 2026.

Issue

v. 4, n. 1, jan./jun. 2026

Section

Resenha

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Copyright (c) 2026 Fábio Luiz Nunes

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