This article deals with the definition of passions of the soul and the ways of using them, as described in De l’usage des passions, of 1641, by the Frenchman JeanFrançois Senault (1599/1604-1672). The cultural background of the book is described here, as well as its relationship to the ideas on passions that were current at the time. Based largely on Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine, Senault stresses the nature of human passions. It is hoped that his ideas will stimulate further studies on psychopathology.
Passions; Senault; psychopathology; history of science