The Passions of the Soul

Published by Dar Al-Rafidain, "The Passions of the Soul" (Les Passions de l'âme) is the last treatise published by René Descartes during his lifetime (1649). This fundamental text addresses one of the most famous problems in Cartesian philosophy: the dualistic interaction between the immaterial mind (soul) and the physical body. Descartes categorizes and analyzes basic human emotions—such as wonder, love, hatred, desire, joy, and sadness—explaining their physiological origins while maintaining that human reason and free will can master and direct these passions toward ethical living and personal well-being.

It is an essential read for understanding Cartesian dualism, the historical roots of modern psychology, and early modern philosophy of mind and emotion.

Students and scholars of philosophy, psychology, and ethics; researchers interested in early modern philosophy, the mind-body problem, and rationalist thought.