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Single Idea 1718

[from 'De Anima' by Aristotle, in 17. Mind and Body / C. Functionalism / 1. Functionalism ]

Full Idea

Perhaps it would be better not to say that the soul pities or learns or thinks, but that the man does in virtue of the soul.

Clarification

'Soul' is the Greek word 'psuché', which covers mind and consciousness and life

Gist of Idea

Does the mind think or pity, or does the whole man do these things?

Source

Aristotle (De Anima [c.329 BCE], 408b12)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'De Anima (On the Soul)', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,H.C. [Penguin 1986], p.146


A Reaction

This can be seen as incipient behaviourism in Aristotle's view. It echoes the functionalist view that what matters is not what the mind is, or is made of, but what it does.