res cogitans

noun

A nonphysical substance of which minds are composed, separate from res extensa, according to Cartesian dualism and idealism.

OriginLatin rēs cōgitāns →
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Meanings

nounres cogitans (uncountable)
  1. uncountablehuman sciencesA nonphysical substance of which minds are composed, separate from res extensa, according to Cartesian dualism and idealism.

Origin

  1. Latinrēs cōgitāns
  2. Englishres cogitans

From Latin rēs cōgitāns.

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

res cogitans. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/res%20cogitans

MLA

“res cogitans.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/res%20cogitans. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “res cogitans,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/res%20cogitans.

Source: res cogitans on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.