wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

On Demand

Descartes’ Bones

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Find out about the fascinating journey Rene Descartes’ bones took after his death in the 1600s… his remains traveled through six countries and three centuries, and were buried three times. Russell Shorto is author of Descartes’ Bones.

Event:
Russell Shorto will be giving a talk and signing books
Tues. Oct. 14 at 7:00 PM
McNally Jackson Bookstore
50 Prince St.
NY NY


Comments

  • [1] Lennie from Manhattan October 14, 2008 - 10:53AM

    Dear Leonard: Presumably you know the joke about Descartes in a coffee bar - but in case not. The waitress asked him if he wanted another latte. He replied "I think not" and promptly disappeared.

    Always enjoy your show.

    Best, Lennie


  • [2] Alex from new york October 14, 2008 - 12:08PM

    For most people Descartes name is linked to coordinate system


  • [3] David Hume from Staten Island, NY October 14, 2008 - 12:15PM

    Many people believe the Cartesian model is one of the worst things that ever happened. A removal of intuition, passion and belief. Basically a removal of everything that makes us unique as humans.

    Roman


  • [4] karen from Hartsdale October 14, 2008 - 12:25PM

    as a graduate history student, pondering thesis topics and post graduate work, I'd love to know how an historian like Shorto finds the time and financial resources to travel around Europe digging up clues regarding bones.


  • [5] maggie from morristown October 14, 2008 - 12:39PM

    I caught most of this discussion and from what I heard sounds like we have a real case of hagiography going on here.

    Never forget that at Descartes feet we can lay the blame for the human/nature disconnect that has resulted in the general rape of the land, pollution of the oceans, horrific treatment of (other) animals, and a general derailing of the human's consciousness of his/her relation to the earth and everything else in it.


Leave a Comment

Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. WNYC reserves the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the WNYC.org Comment Guidelines before posting.

Your comment


* required
The information entered into this form will not be used to send unsolicited email and will not be sold to a third party.
 
Back to Episode