Abstract
According Aristotle's On the Soul, the first and most important form of sensation which we human beings share with other animals is a sense of touch. Without touch animals cannot exist. The first part of my article presents Aristotle's teaching about the internal connection between the soul and the sensory powers, especially as regards the sense of touch. The second part consists of a collection of the classical considerations about this subject. The third part then deals with the actuality of some Aristotle's thesis about touch with reference to current research in neurophysiology on kinesthesia and haptic perception.
Highlights
According Aristotle’s On the Soul, the first and most important form of sensation which we human beings share with other animals is a sense of touch
The second part consists of a collection of the classical considerations about this subject
The property of having a sensitive soul defines the animal, and every organism possessing such soul has the sense of touch
Summary
Each faculty of sensory perception is connected with the soul, that is located in the heart (in the centre) of human or animal being. The sense of touch is located near the heart.[6] The human soul unites in itself the functions of both vegetative and sensitive soul (τό θρεπτικόν, τό αισθητικον, τό ορεκτικον, τό κινητικον κατα τοπόν), as well as the functions of thinking (διάνοια) and reasoning (λογισμός) This means that it is rational i.e. able to engage in scientific and theoretical reasoning (η διάνοια θεωρητικη = τό επιστημικον) and in practical deliberation (διάνοια πρακτικη). All other life functions assume a basic power of taking nourishment cannot exist separated from touch It is the first and the most general power of the soul, since due to it all (that is animate) has life. Aristotle distinguishes between the sense of taste and the sense of touch, and notices that the first is an independent sub-sort (sub-modification) of the sense of touch.[9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
