Mechanism of Passions in the "économie animale". The question of "Passions of the Soul" in the 18th century Medicine Mechanism of Passions in the "économie animale". The question of "Passions of the Soul" in the 18th century Medicine The Mechanism of the Passions in the économie animale. The Passions of the Soul in the 18th century Medicine The Mechanism of the Passions in the économie animale. The Passions of the Soul in the 18th century Medicine
Abstract
The aim of this study is to show how the emotions - in particular the so-called "passions of the soul" - were understood and interpreted in the medical thinking of the late Enlightenment. We focus chiefly on three innovations in 18th century medicine: the "discovery" of the neuro-cerebral system (the 'birth' of neurology); the search for the "seat" of illnesses in particular organs (the "birth" of pathological anatomy); and the gradual separation of the body and the soul as objects of medical enquiry (the "birth of psychiatry).
We consider whether, and to what extent, these innovations contributed to the breakdown of the "old" diagnostic paradigms of the "passions of the soul", or whether in fact they helped to maintain them. We also discuss to what extent the consideration of these passions fostered a new approach to the relationship between the body and the soul in Enlightenment medicine.
Some of the phenomena studied are illustrated by specific examples of (erotic) love and melancholy.