16618
|
Intellectual and moral states, and even the soul itself, depend on prime matter for their existence [Blasius, by Pasnau]
|
|
Full Idea:
Blasius argued that prime matter is the subject of all our intellectual and moral states. This implies that such states cannot exist apart from the body, which seems to imply further that the soul itself cannot exist apart from the body.
|
|
From:
report of Blasius of Parma (Les quaestiones de anima (lectures on the soul) [1385], I.8 p.65) by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 06.3
|
|
A reaction:
It seems that, under pressure, Blasius recanted this view in lectures given eleven years later.
|
24043
|
Soul must be immortal, since it continually moves, like the heavens [Alcmaeon, by Aristotle]
|
|
Full Idea:
Alcmaeon says that the soul is immortal because it resembles immortal things and that this affection belongs to it because it is always in movement, like divine things, such the moon, the sun, the stars and the whole heaven.
|
|
From:
report of Alcmaeon (fragments/reports [c.490 BCE], DK 24) by Aristotle - De Anima 405a30
|
|
A reaction:
Hm. Fish and rivers seem to be continually moving too. Presumably we are like gods, but then Greek gods seem awfully like humans. I don't know the history of belief in immortality; an interesting topic.
|