Key to All Mythologies

Ep. 43: Aristotle’s On the Soul (Sachs trans.), Book II, pt. 2


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Another over-stuffed, stimulating conversation on this very captivating, very ancient, shockingly modern text. We first discuss how Aristotle thinks about the relationship between teaching and learning, in light of his claim that the thinking soul is not properly altered (that is, moved) while being taught how to think. It’s quite a puzzle! About half-way through we transition to a fascinating conversation about the value of reading “outdated” or “disproved” scientific texts. Can such texts have more than a purely historical interest? Is Aristotle truly outdated? Or does he give us a method for using observation to consider problems that are beyond the proper ken of science? Is any hint of modern, Cartesian skepticism to be found in Aristotle’s approach to nature, or does he begin from a fundamentally different place? A place of wonder, rather than a fear of being tricked? As always, you can trust us to leave you less certain than you were before, with more questions than answers. You’re welcome.

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Key to All MythologiesBy Alex Earich

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