Response to: Excerpt Writings from the Correspondence of Descartes and Elisabeth (2)

Response to: Excerpt Writings from the Correspondence of Descartes and Elisabeth (2)

After reading the excerpt, the question that ran through my mind was how having peace in one’s soul and mind can help cure of slow fever. This is what Descartes recommends for the queen after he learned that she has been sick for some time, and the doctors were not finding solutions. In answering this question, I think I will have to support the ideas of Descartes because I have had a similar experience some time back. There was a time I was suffering from frequent headaches, and as much as I took medications, the problem kept coming back. I decide to seek help from a psychologist, and he advised me to avoid stressing and overthinking. After a few days of observing his advice, I noted that the headache had stopped, and I was feeling okay. Therefore, I think this is what Descartes was driving at when he advised Elisabeth that the cause of her slow fever might be sadness. Sadness and stress are emotional disturbances that affect both the brain and the soul.

The excerpt consists of a conversation between Elisabeth and Descartes through letters. Descartes wrote the letter to advise the queen on how she can stop her ailment without involving medical solutions. I think the step that Descartes took in providing alternative solutions for her sickness was a good one since he had advised the queen before when she had inquired about metaphysics. Descartes was sure that the queen was going to listen to his advice. Therefore, he made sure that he provided the best alternative solution for her ailment. Descartes even went on and related the matter to a personal problem he acquired from her mother. He claimed that avoiding sadness in life can help cure illnesses that doctors have failed to find solutions. After reading the excerpt, I was able to confirm how peace of mind can help cure fever and headaches; therefore, in the future, I am going to apply this approach if I happen to have the same problem again. Also, I will advise people or my peers about the importance of avoiding sadness and emotional disturbances..