Rene Descartes and Baruch Spinoza were 17th century philosophers who debated the nature of reality and the relationship between mind and body. Descartes believed in dualism - that the mind and body are two distinct substances. Spinoza argued for monism, that mind and body are one substance that is dependent on God. While they disagreed on this key metaphysical point, both philosophers believed that mathematics was the best way to understand truth and that human actions are determined by preceding causes.

1. Reality’s Two for One Special:A Comparison Between Descartes’ Dualism and Spinoza’s MonismCheryl BennettPHI 200Professor HenryMay 24, 2010

2. Is Reality Reality?Is what humanity calls Reality really reality, and is humanity dual in nature or monistic? Rene Descartes and Baruch Spinoza were two philosophers that attempt to investigate and answer that particular question by using both mathematical theories and intense examinations of the universe, humankind, and the psyche.

3. Rene DescartesBorn in 1596 near Tours, France.

4. Died in 1650 in Sweden due to pneumonia.

5. Was a mathematician who tried to prove his philosophy theories through mathematical means.

6. Commenced the belief in rationalism and the dualism of the mind and body.

7. (SparkNotes Editors, 2006, pp. 138-140)Rene Descartes: Famous writingsComments on a Certain Broadsheet, 1647

8. Conversation with Burman, 1648

9. Correspondence, post hum. 1657

10. The Description of the Human Body, 1647

11. Discourse on the Method, 1637

12. Geometry, 1637

13. Meditations on First Philosophy, 1641

14. Passions of the Soul, 1649

15. Principles of Philosophy, 1644

16. Rules for the Direction of the Mind, 1630

17. Treatise on the World, 1633

18. (The Professor Network, 2004)Baruch SpinozaBorn in 1632 in Amsterdam, Holland.

19. Died in 1677.

20. Was a lens grinder and mathematician.

21. Was an excommunicated Jew due to his beliefs that the Hebrew bible was just a teaching tool and that God was the universe and not a supernatural being.

22. (The Professor Network, 2004)Baruch Spinoza:Famous WritingsA Theological-Political Treatise, 1670

23. Ethics Demonstrated According to the Geometrical Order, 1677

24. Hebrew Grammar, 1677

25. On the Improvement of the Understanding, 1662

26. Short Treatise on God, Man and His Well-Being, 1660s

27. Principles of Cartesian Philosophy, 1663