1. Lesson 3: Aristotle: A weak dualist view?
From your AS knowledge, Explain to the person next to you, what might Aristotle believe about the soul?

2. Lets do some potato printing!

4. Aristotle gave the example of a wax tablet with a stamp impressed on it
The shape made by the wax is inseparable from the wax
…just as the soul is inseparable from the person

5. Physical body
in a continual state
of change
Soul (substance)
remains the same

6. If an axe had a soul then that soul would involve chopping because that is the function of the axe.

7. Considered the soul to include the matter and structure of the body with its functions and capabilities
Unlike Plato soul could be explained in purely natural terms rather than making reference to any supernatural realm

8. De Anima (On the Soul) began with ‘the soul is in some sense the principle of animal life’
Various kinds of soul
Plants – vegetative or ‘nutritive’ soul – capability to get nourishment for themselves and ensure the reproduction of their species but no ability to reason or make plans

9. Plants
Animals
Humans
Vegetative or ‘nutritive’ soul –
Capability to get nourishment for themselves and ensure the reproduction of their species but no ability to reason or make plans
Perceptive souls
Senses to experience the world around them and they react to different stimuli
Enough intelligence to distinguish between pleasure and pain
Higher degree soul
The ability to reason and tell right from wrong

10. Unlikely

11. Does Aristotle believe in the immortality of the soul?
‘It is not likely that Aristotle believed people could live after death in any personal sense’. Ahluwalia
‘To attain any assured knowledge of the soul is one of the most difficult things in the world’ (Aristotle De Anima Book 1)

12. OR
Plato
Aristotle

13. Make some key ideas cards for another team to sort into Plato or Aristotle: eg
The soul exists
The soul has three parts
Life after death is unlikely
Souls are part of our physicality
The soul doesn’t have a supernatural cause
The soul and body cannot be separated
Souls exist before we are born
Reason is part of the soul
Souls are immortal
Dualist approach

14. Beginning to practice essay technique…
Which is most convincing? Plato or Aristotle’s view towards the soul? Discuss strengths and weaknesses.