Single Idea 5146

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / A. Nature of Mind / 2. Psuche]

Full Idea

One can assume a vegetative part of the soul in everything that receives nourishment, even in embryos; thus the excellence of this faculty is common and not confined to man; ...because of its nature it has no part in human goodness.

Gist of Idea

Everything that receives nourishment has a vegetative soul, with it own distinctive excellence

Source

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1102a33)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.88


A Reaction

Presumably the excellences of this part of the soul would be strength, health and appropriate size. If plants have psuché, then neither 'soul' nor 'mind' seem very good translations. 'Vitality' seems a possibility - humans having it in a conscious form.