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Single Idea 5506

[filed under theme 15. Nature of Minds / A. Nature of Mind / 5. Unity of Mind ]

Full Idea

If the soul had the nature of the body, it would have isolated members each unaware of the condition of the other;..there would be a particular soul as a distinct entity to each local experience, so a multiplicity of souls would administer an individual.

Gist of Idea

If soul was like body, its parts would be separate, without communication

Source

Plotinus (The Enneads [c.245], 4.2.2), quoted by R Martin / J Barresi - Introduction to 'Personal Identity' p.15

Book Ref

'Personal Identity', ed/tr. Martin,R /Barresi,J [Blackwells 2003], p.15

A Reaction

Of course, the modern 'modularity of mind' theory does suggest that we are run by a team, but a central co-ordinator is required, with a full communication network across the modules.

The 16 ideas from Plotinus

6922 Ecstasy is for the neo-Platonist the highest psychological state of man [Plotinus, by Feuerbach]
5506 If soul was like body, its parts would be separate, without communication [Plotinus]
21809 Our soul has the same ideal nature as the oldest god, and is honourable above the body [Plotinus]
21808 Soul is author of all of life, and of the stars, and it gives them law and movement [Plotinus]
21811 Even the soul is secondary to the Intellectual-Principle [Nous], of which soul is an utterance [Plotinus]
21812 Being is the product of pure intellect [Plotinus]
21813 Number determines individual being [Plotinus]
21814 How can multiple existence arise from the unified One? [Plotinus]
21816 Soul is the logos of Nous, just as Nous is the logos of the One [Plotinus]
21815 Because the One is immobile, it must create by radiation, light the sun producing light [Plotinus]
21817 The One does not exist, but is the source of all existence [Plotinus]
21824 The One is a principle which transcends Being [Plotinus]
21825 The soul is outside of all of space, and has no connection to the bodily order [Plotinus]
21826 The Soul reasons about the Right, so there must be some permanent Right about which it reasons [Plotinus]
21827 The movement of Soul is continuous, but we are only aware of the parts of it that are sensed [Plotinus]
21828 A person is the whole of their soul [Plotinus]