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>Descartes never married, but he did have a daughter, Francine, born in the Netherlands in 1635. https://www.biography.com/people/ren-descartes-37613 https://w

• TomMarius 8y ago
  It might be a misunderstanding. In many languages, there is one commonly used word that translates (out of context) to "wife", "unmarried partner" and "woman" at the same time.
  • dotancohen 8y ago
    אישה That's the word the Bible uses for Eve. It means all three words, as you've mentioned. Being biblical, this form of speech is not uncommon in many European and Middle Eastern cultures and languages.
    • transmissible 8y ago
      Further reading: Helena Jans van der Strom https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francine_Descartes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francine_Descartes
      • seszett 8y ago
        (edited to match parent) Her mother was Helena Jens, and she was already married to another man at the period this article talks about. Descartes was also back in France while she was still in the Netherlands. Although Descartes did vivisect animals for research purposes, I think it's safe to say that this particular account is an invention.
    • ericd 8y ago
      This turned into an interesting thread, thanks for that bit of info!