The final resting place of one of the most influential philosophers in history has been a topic of much debate and intrigue.
Descartes, known as the “Father of Modern Philosophy,” passed away in Sweden and was originally buried in a small church far from the city’s center. However, due to his Catholic faith in a predominantly Lutheran country, finding a proper burial site proved challenging.
His remains were eventually retrieved by French officials and taken back to France for a Catholic burial. But even then, his journey did not end. His brain resides in a museum in Paris, and his skull is on display for all to see.
Join us as we explore the fascinating story of Descartes’ final resting place and the journey his remains took after his passing.
Where Is Descartes Buried
After his death in 1650, Descartes was initially buried in a small wooden church called St. Olof’s Chapel, located far from the city center in Stockholm, Sweden. However, as a Catholic in a predominantly Lutheran country, finding a proper burial site proved to be a challenge.
Sixteen years later, French officials retrieved Descartes’ remains and took them back to France for a Catholic burial at the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. However, his journey did not end there.
Descartes’ brain was removed during an autopsy and is now on display at the Musée de l’Homme in Paris. His skull was also separated from his body and went through several different hands before finally being put on display at the Musée de l’Homme as well.
Despite being buried in France, Descartes’ legacy continued to cause controversy. In 1663, the Pope placed his works on the Index of Prohibited Books, and in 1671, Louis XIV prohibited all lectures on Cartesianism.
In 1792, the National Convention planned to transfer Descartes’ remains to the Panthéon in Paris but ultimately did not follow through. Instead, he was reburied in the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in 1819, missing a finger and his skull.
Descartes’ Life And Legacy
René Descartes was a French philosopher, scientist, and mathematician who is widely considered to be a seminal figure in the emergence of modern philosophy and science. He spent much of his working life in the Dutch Republic, initially serving the Dutch States Army, later becoming a central intellectual of the Dutch Golden Age. Although he served a Protestant state and was later counted as a Deist by critics, Descartes was Roman Catholic.
Descartes never married but did have a daughter, Francine, who died at the age of 5. He died in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1650, at the age of 53. Sweden was a Protestant country, so Descartes, a Catholic, was buried in a graveyard primarily for unbaptized babies. Later, his remains were taken to the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in France for a Catholic burial.
Descartes’ approach of combining mathematics and logic with philosophy to explain the physical world turned metaphysical when confronted with questions of theology. It led him to contemplate the nature of existence and the mind-body duality, identifying the point of contact for the body with the soul at the pineal gland. It also led him to define the idea of dualism: matter meeting non-matter.
Descartes’ legacy continued to cause controversy after his death. In 1663, the Pope placed his works on the Index of Prohibited Books, and in 1671, Louis XIV prohibited all lectures on Cartesianism. Despite this opposition, Descartes’ ideas had a profound influence on modern Western thought. He laid the foundation for 17th-century continental rationalism and was largely responsible for the increased attention given to epistemology in the 17th century. His best-known philosophical statement is “cogito, ergo sum” (“I think, therefore I am”). His works continue to be studied and debated in philosophy departments around the world, and he is often referred to as the father of modern philosophy.
The Challenge Of Finding A Proper Burial Site
As a Catholic living in a predominantly Lutheran country, finding a proper burial site for Descartes proved to be a difficult task. Initially, his remains were interred at St. Olof’s Chapel, a small wooden church located far from Stockholm’s city center. However, this was not a suitable place for a Catholic burial.
After 16 years, French government officials retrieved Descartes’ remains and took them back to France for a proper Catholic burial at the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. This move was necessary due to the challenges of finding a suitable burial site for a Catholic in Sweden.
Despite being buried in France, Descartes’ remains continued to cause controversy. His brain was removed during an autopsy and is now on display at the Musée de l’Homme in Paris. His skull was also separated from his body and went through several different hands before finally being put on display at the same museum.
The challenge of finding a proper burial site for Descartes highlights the difficulties faced by individuals who do not conform to the dominant religious beliefs of their society. It also underscores the importance of respecting an individual’s beliefs and traditions, even after their death.
The Journey Of Descartes’ Remains To France
After Descartes’ initial burial in St. Olof’s Chapel, French officials retrieved his remains and took them back to France in 1666 for a proper Catholic burial at the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. However, during an autopsy, his brain was removed and put on display at the Musée de l’Homme in Paris.
Descartes’ skull was separated from his body and went through several different hands before finally being put on display at the Musée de l’Homme as well. In fact, there are claims that as many as four other skulls might turn out to be Descartes – three in private collections and one in Stockholm. Although never authenticated, the skull on display at the Musée de l’Homme is believed to be his.
Despite being buried in France, Descartes’ legacy continued to cause controversy. In 1663, the Pope placed his works on the Index of Prohibited Books, and in 1671, Louis XIV prohibited all lectures on Cartesianism.
In 1792, the National Convention planned to transfer Descartes’ remains to the Panthéon in Paris but ultimately did not follow through. Instead, he was reburied in the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in 1819, missing a finger and his skull. Today, visitors can still see his lead memorial with a portrait of the philosopher inside Adolf Fredriks kyrka in Stockholm.
The Dissection And Preservation Of Descartes’ Brain
After Descartes’ death, an autopsy was conducted, during which his brain was removed. The brain was eventually acquired by the French anatomist, Claude Perrault, who dissected it and preserved it in a jar of alcohol. In 1818, the brain was transferred to the Musée de l’Homme in Paris, where it remains on display to this day.
However, the fate of Descartes’ skull remained a mystery for many years. It was not until the 19th century that a skull fragment believed to be his was discovered at Lund University in Sweden. This discovery led to a new theory about what happened to Descartes’ skull.
According to researchers, after Descartes’ death, his skull was subjected to a practice known as “skull blasting.” This involved using pressure to separate the skull into fragments so that they could be sold to multiple buyers. This method was commonly used in anatomical study during Descartes’ time.
However, there were other methods of separating the bones in the skull that were less destructive. The Beauchêne method involved soaking or boiling the skull until the bones separated, which could preserve delicate bone structures better than skull blasting.
Despite some skepticism about this new theory, researchers believe that historical evidence supports the claim that the intact skull on display at the Musée de l’Homme is not that of Descartes. Instead, they believe that the skull fragment held by Lund University is from the true skull of Descartes.
The Display Of Descartes’ Skull In Paris
The skull of René Descartes, one of the most significant philosophers in history, has been on display at the Musée de l’Homme in Paris for many years. However, controversy still surrounds its authenticity and whether it should be kept separate from the rest of his remains. The Prytanée military school, where Descartes studied as a young man, has requested that his skull be moved to an adjoining church for display. The school believes that the current display alongside prehistoric artifacts and other oddities is not suitable for such an important historical figure.
The authenticity of the skull has also been called into question, with four other skulls potentially being attributed to Descartes. However, despite these doubts, the skull at the Musée de l’Homme remains on display. There is ongoing debate over whether it should be reunited with the rest of his body, which is buried in the Saint-Germain des Près church.
Despite these controversies, the display of Descartes’ skull in Paris serves as a testament to his enduring legacy and influence on philosophy and science. Visitors to the museum can see a cast of the skull, which has been engraved with various owners’ names throughout history. While its authenticity may never be fully confirmed, its significance as a symbol of Descartes’ ideas and impact cannot be denied.
The Debate Surrounding Descartes’ Final Resting Place
Despite being reburied in the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, there is still debate surrounding Descartes’ final resting place. Some argue that his remains should have been returned to his birthplace in La Haye en Touraine, France, where a monument was erected in his honor in 1902.
Others believe that his remains should be reunited with his skull and brain, which are currently on display at the Musée de l’Homme in Paris. However, this would require exhuming his body from the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, which could be seen as disrespectful to his legacy.
Furthermore, there are those who question whether Descartes’ remains were actually buried in the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Some have suggested that the lead memorial erected in his honor inside Adolf Fredriks kyrka in Stockholm may contain his actual remains.
Despite these debates, Descartes’ contributions to philosophy and mathematics continue to be studied and celebrated centuries after his death.
