User:Goclenius/René Descartes (Influence)

This article is part of the User:Goclenius/René Descartes series.

Contemporary notices of Descartes

 * It is said that during the 1640s, Descartes travelled with an artificial female companion, named Francine after his daughter. This apocryphal story may stem from his published statements about the nature of the mind, or may indeed have been an early automaton or Gynoid. (Cartesian lore has it that later an exact replica was made from less durable materials, named Dolly and believed to be partially conscious when heard to utter the words: "Where am I?")
 * Descartes stated that, for a period of his life, he was attracted to cross-eyed women. He cited his attraction as being instilled by a cross-eyed childhood playmate, and said that, once he realized this cause, he was able to rid himself of it. He adduced this as evidence that the human mind can freely control the body.

Items named after Descartes

 * The Descartes Highlands area on the moon, where John Young and Charlie Duke landed on Apollo 16, is named after him. Also contains a mountain range named the Descartes Mountains.

Descartes in literature and the arts

 * Although Descartes in real life avoided alcoholic overindulgence, he is charged with extreme intoxication ("I drink, therefore I am") in Monty Python's celebrated Philosophers' Song.

Descartes in popular culture

 * Descartes was ranked #49 on Michael H. Hart's list of the most influential figures in history.