Single Idea 6559

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / e. Human nature]

Full Idea

To the best of my knowledge (and somewhat to my surprise), Aristotle never actually says that man is a rational animal; however, he all but says it.

Gist of Idea

Aristotle never actually says that man is a rational animal

Source

report of Aristotle (works [c.330 BCE]) by Robert Fogelin - Walking the Tightrope of Reason Ch.1

Book Reference

Fogelin,Robert: 'Walking the Tightrope of Reason' [OUP 2004], p.17


A Reaction

When I read this I thought that this database would prove Fogelin wrong, but it actually supports him, as I can't find it in Aristotle either. Descartes refers to it in Med.Two. In Idea 5133 Aristotle does say that man is a 'social being'. But 22586!

Related Ideas

Idea 5133 Man is by nature a social being [Aristotle]

Idea 22586 Only humans have reason [Aristotle]