Ideas from 'De Anima' by Aristotle [329 BCE], by Theme Structure

[found in 'De Anima (On the Soul)' by Aristotle (ed/tr Lawson-Tancred,H.C.) [Penguin 1986,0-14-044471-8]].

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2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 2. Logos
An account is either a definition or a demonstration
2. Reason / B. Laws of Thought / 4. Contraries
From one thing alone we can infer its contrary
6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 3. Nature of Numbers / a. Numbers
We perceive number by the denial of continuity
7. Existence / C. Structure of Existence / 4. Ontological Dependence
What is prior is always potentially present in what is next in order
8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 4. Powers as Essence
Sight is the essence of the eye, fitting its definition; the eye itself is just the matter
9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 2. Substance / a. Substance
The substance is the cause of a thing's being
9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 2. Hylomorphism / a. Hylomorphism
Scientists explain anger by the matter, dialecticians by the form and the account
Matter is potential, form is actual
12. Knowledge Sources / A. A Priori Knowledge / 3. Innate Knowledge / c. Tabula rasa
The intellect has potential to think, like a tablet on which nothing has yet been written
12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 1. Perception
Why do we have many senses, and not just one?
Why can't we sense the senses? And why do senses need stimuli?
Perception necessitates pleasure and pain, which necessitates appetite
Our minds take on the form of what is being perceived [Mares]
Sense organs aren't the end of sensation, or they would know what does the sensing
Perception of sensible objects is virtually never wrong
12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 2. Qualities in Perception / c. Primary qualities
Many objects of sensation are common to all the senses
12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 2. Qualities in Perception / d. Secondary qualities
Some objects of sensation are unique to one sense, where deception is impossible
12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 3. Representation
In moral thought images are essential, to be pursued or avoided
12. Knowledge Sources / C. Rationalism / 1. Rationalism
We may think when we wish, but not perceive, because universals are within the mind
14. Science / A. Basis of Science / 2. Demonstration
Demonstrations move from starting-points to deduced conclusions
Demonstration starts from a definition of essence, so we can derive (or conjecture about) the properties
14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / k. Explanations by essence
To understand a triangle summing to two right angles, we need to know the essence of a line
15. Nature of Minds / A. Nature of Mind / 1. Mind / c. Features of mind
Mind involves movement, perception, incorporeality
15. Nature of Minds / A. Nature of Mind / 2. Psuche
Aristotle led to the view that there are several souls, all somewhat physical [Martin/Barresi]
Soul is seen as what moves, or what is least physical, or a combination of elements
Psuché is the form and actuality of a body which potentially has life
The soul is the cause or source of movement, the essence of body, and its end
15. Nature of Minds / A. Nature of Mind / 5. Unity of Mind
Understanding is impossible, if it involves the understanding having parts
If the soul is composed of many physical parts, it can't be a true unity
If a soul have parts, what unites them?
What unifies the soul would have to be a super-soul, which seems absurd
15. Nature of Minds / A. Nature of Mind / 6. Anti-Individualism
In a way the soul is everything which exists, through its perceptions and thoughts
15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 1. Faculties
If we divide the mind up according to its capacities, there are a lot of them
15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 2. Imagination
Self-moving animals must have desires, and that entails having imagination
17. Mind and Body / A. Mind-Body Dualism / 1. Dualism
Emotion involves the body, thinking uses the mind, imagination hovers between them
17. Mind and Body / A. Mind-Body Dualism / 2. Interactionism
The soul (or parts of it) is not separable from the body
All the emotions seem to involve the body, simultaneously with the feeling
17. Mind and Body / A. Mind-Body Dualism / 8. Dualism of Mind Critique
If soul is separate from body, why does it die when the body dies?
Thinkers place the soul within the body, but never explain how they are attached
Early thinkers concentrate on the soul but ignore the body, as if it didn't matter what body received the soul
17. Mind and Body / C. Functionalism / 1. Functionalism
Aristotle has a problem fitting his separate reason into the soul, which is said to be the form of the body [Ackrill]
Does the mind think or pity, or does the whole man do these things?
17. Mind and Body / E. Mind as Physical / 1. Physical Mind
The soul and the body are inseparable, like the imprint in some wax
18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 1. Thought
Thinking is not perceiving, but takes the form of imagination and speculation
18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 5. Rationality / b. Human rationality
Aristotle makes belief a part of reason, but sees desires as separate [Sorabji]
20. Action / B. Preliminaries of Action / 2. Willed Action / d. Weakness of will
Self-controlled follow understanding, when it is opposed to desires
22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / a. Nature of pleasure
Pleasure and pain are perceptions of things as good or bad
26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 1. Nature
Nature does nothing in vain
27. Natural Reality / A. Classical Physics / 1. Mechanics / a. Explaining movement
If all movement is either pushing or pulling, there must be a still point in between where it all starts
Movement is spatial, alteration, withering or growth
Practical reason is based on desire, so desire must be the ultimate producer of movement
Movement can be intrinsic (like a ship) or relative (like its sailors)
27. Natural Reality / A. Classical Physics / 1. Mechanics / b. Laws of motion
If something is pushed, it pushes back
27. Natural Reality / G. Biology / 2. Life
What is born has growth, a prime, and a withering away