Single Idea 24260

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / e. Human nature]

Full Idea

The most important type of soul …raises us up from the earth towards the heavenly region to which we are naturally akin, since we are not soil-bound plants but, properly speaking, creatures rooted in heaven.

Gist of Idea

The best part of the soul raises us up to the heavens, to which we are naturally akin

Source

Plato (Timaeus [c.362 BCE], 90a)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Timaeus and Critias', ed/tr. Waterfield,Robin [OUP 2008], p.95


A Reaction

An early example of human exceptionalism, which is still with us. Personally I think life goes much better if we acknowledge that we have more affinity with plants than with angels.