Events from 1637

Descartes's 'Discourse on Method' - 'Cogito ergo sum' - individual consciousness as foundation - Animals as automata with no souls - 'Give me matter and motion, and I will construct the world'

St. Martin de Porres in daily ecstasy - Christ appears: 'I am pleased with your humility' - Bilocation, healing, prophecy show supernatural reality Descartes denies

Shimabara Rebellion - 37,000 Christian peasants revolt, ultimately crushed with great slaughter