Single Idea 2096

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / A. Nature of Mind / 1. Mind / e. Questions about mind]

Full Idea

Does the mind have a function - say, management, authority and planning? And isn't one's way of life a function of the mind?

Clarification

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

Gist of Idea

Is the function of the mind management, authority and planning - or is it one's whole way of life?

Source

Plato (The Republic [c.371 BCE], 353d)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Republic', ed/tr. Waterfield,Robin [OUP 1993], p.41


A Reaction

Note that this is Plato, not some Darwinian materialist. This strikes me as the correct starting point - what does a mind appear to be for (with or without the help of Darwin)? Plato's proposals seem good (though we could cut 'authority').

Related Idea

Idea 23883 Minds essentially and always strive towards value [Weil]