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Single Idea 22582

[from 'Politics' by Aristotle, in 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / g. Love ]

Full Idea

Spirit [thumos] is what produces friendliness [philetikon], since it is the capacity of the soul by which we love [philoumen].

Gist of Idea

Spirit [thumos] is the capacity by which we love

Source

Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1327b39)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Politics', ed/tr. Reeve,C.D.C. [Hackett 2017], p.168


A Reaction

This is the same 'spirit' which Plato adds to reason and emotion for this three-part soul. There it seems more to denote fighting ability. Aristotle says it produces both fierceness and love. 'For the man de sword, for the woman de kiss'.

Related Idea

Idea 6041 There is a third element to the mind - spirit - lying between reason and appetite [Plato]