Ancient Greek Philosophy

Epitasis and Anesis in Aristotle’s De Caelo 2.6

Stephen Kidd

Aristotle on the Emotions and Body-Soul Unity

Myrna Gabbe

Identifying with Liars in Plato's Republic

Laury Ward

Aristotle describes reason and desire as working so closely in tandem that one can hardly be separated from the other (De An. 433a9-12; 433b21-30). One might even speak of them, under ideal circumstances, as one and the same. Our task here is to show that, unlike for Aristotle—for whom desire is distinct enough from reason that it can sometimes move in the opposite direction—the unity or reason and desire is not just an ideal state of affairs for Seneca. It is as nature preordained that reason and desire should be inseparably joined.

This paper enquires about Aristotle's treatment of body sense; by 'body sense' is meant cognition of the state of our bodies, such items as itches, chills, hunger, cramps etc. At first it seems that Aristotle takes very little account them, and even fails to realize that – just as he has provided an account of perception of external objects – he owes us an account of this province of consciousness as well.

In the Hippias Minor, Socrates raises the question whether liars have the power to do something or nothing (365d). In general, cases such as telling a lie raise the question whether agents have the power to do actions that are wrong, incorrect, or otherwise such that a good person would not want to do.