On the Soul & Parva Naturalia

Written by Aristotle

Narrated by James Cameron Stewart

Two contrasting reflections by Aristotle which cover very particular ground. In 'On the Soul', Aristotle presents his view of the 'life essence' which, he argues, is possessed by living things whether plants, animals or humans. Not a 'soul' in the generally accepted Western use of the term, this 'soul', he says, is a life force that is indivisible from the organism that possesses it. The essay is divided into three books. Presenting his concept in book I, he further describes the structure of the 'souls' of plants, animals and humans in book II and book III. In 'The Parva Naturalia' ('Little Physical Treatises'), Aristotle continues his investigation into the biology of life and the links between body and 'soul'. It consists of seven essays: 'Sense and Sensibilia', 'On Memory', 'On Sleep', 'On Dreams', 'On Divination in Sleep', 'On Length and Shortness of Life', 'On Youth', 'Old Age', 'Life and Death' and 'Respiration'. Translation by A. J. Smith. Translation by J I Beare and G R T Ross.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ukemi Audiobooks from W. F. Howes Ltd
• Release date: Feb 5, 2018
• ISBN: 9781004133321

Aristotle

Aristotle was an ancient Greek philosopher and scientist whose works have profoundly influenced philosophical discourse and scientific investigation from the later Greek period through to modern times. A student of Plato, Aristotle’s writings cover such disparate topics as physics, zoology, logic, aesthetics, and politics, and as one of the earliest proponents of empiricism, Aristotle advanced the belief that people’s knowledge is based on their perceptions. In addition to his own research and writings, Aristotle served as tutor to Alexander the Great, and established a library at the Lyceum. Although it is believed that only a small fraction of his original writings have survived, works such as The Art of Rhetoric, Nicomachean Ethics, Poetics, and Metaphysics have preserved Aristotle’s legacy and influence through the ages.