Single Idea 495

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / d. Health]

Full Idea

Medicine heals diseases of the body, wisdom frees the soul from passions.

Clarification

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

Gist of Idea

Wisdom creates a healthy passion-free soul

Source

Democritus (fragments/reports [c.431 BCE], B031), quoted by Clement - Pedagogue 1.6.2.1

Book Reference

'Ancilla to the Pre-Socratic Philosophers', ed/tr. Freeman,Kathleen [Harvard 1957], p.99


A Reaction

The interesting concept of a healthy mind seems to have got lost in modern moral philosophy.