Full Idea
The entity which we call 'soul' is precisely that which is defined by the expression 'self-generating motion'.
Gist of Idea
Soul is what is defined by 'self-generating motion'
Source
Plato (The Laws [c.348 BCE], 896a)
Book Reference
Plato: 'Complete Works', ed/tr. Cooper,John M. [Hackett 1997], p.1552
A Reaction
We may suspect that he defines soul in this way for a particular context, aimed at proving the existence of a First Mover. He must think there is more to soul than the generation of movement.
Related Idea
Idea 21258 The only possible beginning for the endless motions of reality is something self-generated [Plato]