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Single Idea 13256

[from 'fragments/reports' by Anaxagoras, in 15. Nature of Minds / A. Nature of Mind / 1. Mind / a. Mind ]

Full Idea

Nous is unlimited and self-ruling and has been mixed with no thing, but is alone itself by itself. ...For it is the finest of all things and the purest, and indeed it maintains all discernment about everything and has the greatest strength.

Clarification

'Nous' translates as mind or understanding

Gist of Idea

Nous is unlimited, self-ruling and pure; it is the finest thing, with great discernment and strength

Source

Anaxagoras (fragments/reports [c.460 BCE], B12), quoted by Patricia Curd - Anaxagoras 3.3

Book Reference

'Stanford Online Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Stanford University [plato.stanford.edu], p.11


A Reaction

Anaxagoras seems to have been a pioneer in elevating the status of the mind, which is a prop to the rationalist view, and encourages dualism. More naturalistic accounts are, in my view, much healthier.