Single Idea 21260

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / A. Nature of Mind / 2. Psuche]

Full Idea

The entity which we call 'soul' is precisely that which is defined by the expression 'self-generating motion'.

Gist of Idea

Soul is what is defined by 'self-generating motion'

Source

Plato (The Laws [c.349 BCE], 896a)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Complete Works', ed/tr. Cooper,John M. [Hackett 1997], p.1552


A Reaction

We may suspect that he defines soul in this way for a particular context, aimed at proving the existence of a First Mover. He must think there is more to soul than the generation of movement.

Related Idea

Idea 21258 The only possible beginning for the endless motions of reality is something self-generated [Plato]