The death of a philosopher is often shrouded in mystery, and Rene Descartes is no exception.
The father of modern philosophy passed away in Stockholm in 1650, but the circumstances surrounding his death have been the subject of much debate and speculation.
Was it pneumonia, as the official story goes, or was he poisoned? Some believe it was to protect the queen’s religious beliefs, while others point to evidence of a sinus tumor.
In this article, we will explore the various theories surrounding Descartes’ death and try to uncover the truth behind one of philosophy’s most controversial deaths.
How Did Descartes Die
There are several theories surrounding the death of Rene Descartes, the famous philosopher who contributed greatly to the Western philosophical canon. The official story is that he died of pneumonia while in Stockholm in 1650. However, some believe that he was poisoned, possibly to protect the queen’s religious beliefs.
One theory suggests that Descartes was poisoned by an unknown Protestant vicar who feared that he would cause the queen to revert to Catholicism. Descartes was raised a Catholic, and with him being in charge of the queen’s education, it was feared that he would influence her to convert. Thus, he had to be gotten rid of, and this was done through poisoning him.
Another theory suggests that Jacques Viogue, a missionary in Stockholm, poisoned Descartes because he saw him as a barrier to Queen Christina’s potential conversion to Catholicism. While Descartes was raised a Catholic, Viogue saw his metaphysical picture as more Calvenist. Thus, he decided to poison Descartes in order to stop him from influencing the queen not to convert.
There is also evidence of a sinus tumor found in a skull believed to be Descartes’, which resides at Paris’ National Museum of Natural History. However, this account is problematic on two accounts. Firstly, Descartes never reported symptoms of a sinus tumor within his writing. Secondly, no one knows exactly where Descartes’ skull is. There are multiple museums claiming they have Descartes’ skull as it was removed from the skeleton at an unknown point in history.
While the official story is that Descartes died of pneumonia, there are some problems with this theory. The physician who examined his body noted some odd symptoms which did not align with pneumonia, such as increased skin pigmentation and blood in the urine, symptoms which are often associated with arsenic poisoning. The physician was also not allowed to examine the body properly, including bleeding the body. Thus, some believe that Descartes was poisoned.
The Official Story: Descartes’ Death By Pneumonia
The official story of Descartes’ death is that he died of pneumonia while in Stockholm in 1650. He had been summoned to tutor Queen Christina and was in the process of setting up an academy of science for her. However, his health was already fragile, and the cold Swedish winters did not help. One morning, likely due to his early rising for the queen’s lessons, combined with the freezing temperatures, Descartes caught a chill that proved to be fatal.
According to Chanut, Descartes’ friend and French ambassador in Sweden, the cause of his death was pneumonia. However, Christina’s physician, Johann van Wullen, who was not allowed to treat him, believed it was peripneumonia. Van Wullen noted that Descartes did not want to take medicine and had himself bled three times in one day, which may have worsened his condition.
Despite some odd symptoms noted by his physician, such as increased skin pigmentation and blood in the urine, which are often associated with arsenic poisoning, there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that Descartes was poisoned. The official story remains that he died of pneumonia.
The Poisoning Theory: Protecting The Queen’s Beliefs
One of the most popular theories surrounding Descartes’ death is that he was poisoned in order to protect the religious beliefs of Queen Christina. Descartes was known for his radical theological ideas, which were viewed as incompatible with the Catholic belief of transubstantiation. This led to suspicion from many of his theological coreligionists, including Jacques Viogue, a missionary working in Stockholm.
Viogue feared that Descartes’ ideas would derail an expected conversion to Catholicism by the monarch of Protestant Sweden. He saw Descartes as an obstacle to the Queen’s conversion to the Catholic faith and believed that his metaphysics were more in line with Calvinist ‘heresy’. Thus, it is believed that Viogue administered an arsenic-laced communion wafer to Descartes, leading to his death.
This theory is supported by evidence of odd symptoms noted by Descartes’ physician after his death, such as increased skin pigmentation and blood in the urine, which are often associated with arsenic poisoning. Additionally, Descartes reportedly asked his doctor to prescribe an emetic, which suggests that he believed he had been poisoned.
While this theory has been met with caution by scholars, it remains a fascinating possibility surrounding the death of one of history’s greatest philosophers.
The Sinus Tumor Theory: Evidence And Arguments
Another theory surrounding Descartes’ death is the sinus tumor theory, which suggests that he died from a sinus tumor. This theory is based on evidence found in a skull believed to be Descartes’, which resides at Paris’ National Museum of Natural History. Phillipe Charlier examined the skull and discovered evidence of a sinus tumor.
However, this theory has its problems. Firstly, Descartes never reported symptoms of a sinus tumor within his writing. Secondly, no one knows exactly where Descartes’ skull is. There are multiple museums claiming they have Descartes’ skull as it was removed from the skeleton at an unknown point in history. Thus, analyzing a ‘skull’ said to be Descartes is not convincing evidence.
Descartes’ Last Days In Stockholm: Eyewitness Accounts
During his time in Stockholm, Descartes was tasked with tutoring Queen Christina of Sweden in the ways of ancient Greek philosophy. However, the two did not get along well, with the queen finding Descartes’ lessons dull and uninspiring. To make matters worse, she insisted on having her lessons before 5 a.m., knowing full well that Descartes’ fragile health required him to sleep in. This early morning routine likely contributed to his eventual demise.
In January 1650, Descartes caught a bad case of pneumonia, likely exacerbated by the freezing Swedish winters and his early morning lessons with the queen. Despite his illness, he continued to work, but his condition worsened rapidly. According to eyewitness accounts, he became increasingly frail and weak, and was often found complaining about his living conditions and the cold Scandinavian mornings.
By February 11th, 1650, Descartes had succumbed to pneumonia at the age of 53. He died in Stockholm while helping Queen Christina set up an academy of science. His death was a great loss to the world of philosophy and mathematics, as he was one of the most influential thinkers of his time.
While there are theories that Descartes may have been poisoned, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. However, his last days in Stockholm were undoubtedly difficult and marked by illness and discomfort. Despite the challenges he faced, Descartes continued to work until the end, leaving behind a legacy that has endured for centuries.
The Legacy Of Descartes: His Impact On Philosophy And Science
Regardless of the theories surrounding his death, it is clear that Descartes had a profound impact on both philosophy and science. As a philosopher, he is widely considered to be one of the most important figures in the emergence of modern philosophy. He rejected the authority of previous philosophers and set his views apart from those who preceded him. He is credited with laying the foundation for 17th-century continental rationalism, which was later advocated by Spinoza and Leibniz.
Descartes’ most famous philosophical statement, “cogito, ergo sum” (“I think, therefore I am”), is found in his work Discourse on the Method and Principles of Philosophy. This statement has become a cornerstone of Western philosophy and has influenced countless philosophers since Descartes’ time. His thesis that mind and body are really distinct, known as “mind-body dualism,” has also had a lasting impact on philosophy.
In addition to his contributions to philosophy, Descartes also made significant contributions to science. He connected the previously separate fields of geometry and algebra into analytic geometry, which was used in the discovery of infinitesimal calculus and analysis. The Cartesian coordinate system was named after him, and he is credited as the father of this system.
Descartes’ legacy in both philosophy and science continues to be felt today. His ideas have influenced countless philosophers and scientists over the centuries, and his contributions to these fields have been immeasurable. Despite the controversy surrounding his death, there is no denying that Descartes’ impact on Western thought has been profound.
