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Single Idea 22528

[from 'Politics' by Aristotle, in 16. Persons / B. Nature of the Self / 4. Presupposition of Self ]

Full Idea

Whatever is composed of a number of things, and becomes one communal thing, a ruler and a ruled are always seen, and this is present in animate things on the basis of their entire nature.

Gist of Idea

The nature of all animate things is to have one part which rules it

Source

Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1254a28)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Politics', ed/tr. Reeve,C.D.C. [Hackett 2017], p.7


A Reaction

I'm assuming he is referring to animals, rather than plants. I'm not sure if this is a universal truth (e.g. in the case of slime moulds), but it is how I see human beings. The organism could not possibly function (esp. navigate) without central control.