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Full Idea
We ought to hold, on the contrary, that the soul takes its leave when we die only because this heat ceases and the organs that bring about bodily movement decay.
Gist of Idea
We don't die because the soul departs; the soul departs because the organs cease functioning
Source
René Descartes (The Passions of the Soul [1649], I.5), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 24.5
Book Ref
Pasnau,Robert: 'Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671' [OUP 2011], p.572
A Reaction
This sounds like a pretty major change in our concept of death, given that we all now agree with Descartes.
Related Idea
Idea 16764 The soul conserves the body, as we see by its dissolution when the soul leaves [Toletus]
| 4015 | For Descartes passions are God-given preservers of the mind-body union [Descartes, by Taylor,C] |
| 4313 | Are there a few primary passions (say, joy, sadness and desire)? [Descartes, by Cottingham] |
| 4016 | Descartes makes strength of will the central virtue [Descartes, by Taylor,C] |
| 3654 | The pineal gland links soul to body, and unites the two symmetrical sides of the body [Descartes, by PG] |
| 20037 | Merely willing to walk leads to our walking [Descartes] |
| 23989 | There are six primitive passions: wonder, love, hatred, desire, joy and sadness [Descartes, by Goldie] |
| 16763 | We don't die because the soul departs; the soul departs because the organs cease functioning [Descartes] |