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Single Idea 5147

[from 'Nicomachean Ethics' by Aristotle, in 15. Nature of Minds / A. Nature of Mind / 2. Psuche ]

Full Idea

One element of the soul is irrational but receptive to reason; it struggles and strains against reason. ...In the continent (controlled) man it is obedient to reason, and is more amenable in the virtuous man, as it is in harmony with rational principle.

Gist of Idea

In a controlled person the receptive part of the soul is obedient, and it is in harmony in the virtuous

Source

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1102b16)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.89


A Reaction

The very core of Aristotle's theory, with an image of psychic harmony derived from Plato (who likens in to a well-tuned musical instrument). Aristotle's merely controlled man ('enkrateia') sounds like Kant's truly moral man, following duty.