Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 2 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"Plutarch
Philosophy
Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 2 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"
Plutarch
Classical literature; Essays; Ethics; Philosophy
23. However this is a common argument against both the former
opinions, that neither in corporeal limits nor in numbers there is
the least footstep or appearance of that power by which the soul
assumes to itself to judge of what is subject to sense. For it was
the participation of the intelligible principle that endued it with
understanding and the perceiving faculty. But as for opinion, belief,
imagination, and its being affected with qualities relating to the
body, no man could ever dream that they proceeded simply either from
units, or lines, or surfaces. For not only the souls of mortals have
a power to judge of what is subject to sense; but the soul of the
world also, says Plato, “when it revolves upon itself, and happens
once to touch upon any fluid and roving substance or upon any thing
indivisible, then being moved throughout its whole self, it gives
notice with what this or that thing is identical, to what heterogeneal,
and in what relations especially and in what manner it happens to be
and to be affected towards each created thing.”[194] Here he gives at
the same time an intimation of the ten Categories or Predicaments; but
afterwards he gives us a clearer manifestation of these things. “For
when true reason,” says he, “is fixed upon what is subject to sense,
and the circle of the Other, observing a just and equal motion, conveys
its intelligence to the whole soul, then both opinion and belief
become steadfast and certain; on the other side, when it is settled
upon ratiocination, and the circle of the Same, turning readily and
easily, furnishes its intimations, then of necessity knowledge arrives
to perfection. And indeed, whoever shall affirm that any thing in
which these two operations take place is any thing besides a soul, may
deservedly be thought to speak any thing rather than the truth.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account