Aristotle (Author) - On the Soul: and Other Psychological works

Aristotles treatise On the Soul (De Anima) is justly counted among the great works of philosophy. Its basic thesis, that the soul is the form of an organic body, sets it in sharp contrast with both Pre-Socratic physicalism and Platonic dualism. Aristotle argues that the soul comprises psychic powers including nutrition, sense-perception, and desire. He thereby demonstrates how human beings along with other living organisms may be understood within the wider framework of natural science. In addition, human beings, the most highly developed organisms, possess the capacity of thought, which enables them to guide their own actions rationally and to unlock the secrets of reality, so that they are uniquely akin to the divine. On the Soul also occupies a crucial place in Aristotles philosophical system, serving as a nexus for natural science, metaphysics, ethics, and politics. Historically, also, it was among the most important of his works, which fuelled an intellectual revolution in Western Europe after their rediscovery in the late Middle Ages.

In spite of its importance, however, if read in isolation On the Soul presents serious difficulties for the general reader and even for the specialist. Important topics such as perception are discussed incompletely, and others such as memory are mentioned only in passing. Aside from a few vague references, there is no explanation of how the functions of the soul are supported by the organs of the body. Fortunately, Aristotles other psychological works, collected in the Parva Naturalia, provide a valuable supplement, with in-depth discussions of perception, memory, sleep and dreaming, longevity, the life-cycle, and psycho-physiology. Moreover, there is also testimony by ancient authors concerning Aristotles lost works that pertain to the soul, for example regarding the afterlife. It is the aim of this volume to present all this material together in a new, clear, and consistent translation, with notes explaining particular passages and showing how they relate to Aristotles overall philosophical system.

I gratefully acknowledge support for my research by Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, through the Beaufort Fellowship, the Department of Political Economy and Moral Science at the University of Arizona, and the Social Philosophy and Policy Foundation. The Jerome Library of Bowling Green State University and the unparalleled Ohio Link system have been an invaluable source of research materials. In preparing this translation I owe an inestimable debt to the legion of scholars, copyists, and editors who have preserved and studied Aristotles writings over more than two millennia. In particular I have benefited greatly from the translations and commentaries listed in the Select Bibliography. I first conceived of this project during a study of De Anima with the Ohio Greek Philosophy Group. Several individuals have generously commented on earlier drafts, including Julia Annas, Michael Baumer, Lawrence Jost, Rachana Kamtekar, Errol Katayama, Christine Keyt, Pamela Phillips, Ronald Polansky, Susan Prince, John Proios, Tristram Rogers, Kenneth Silverman, and Bjorn Westveldt. I owe special thanks to David Keyt and Christopher Shields, the one a former teacher and the other a former student, for their invaluable assistance.

Finally, I am deeply grateful to my wife Kathryn and my family for their constant encouragement and support.