Self-Knowledge: Based on Knowledge of the First Cause of Creation (Aristotle’s Conception of the Soul)

Leon Miller Tallinn

doi:10.12726/tjp.21.4

Abstract

This article argues that Aristotle depicts the soul as a detectable aspect of one’s being, is in the form of properties, and is discernable by cognition. Thus, he proposed that it is possible to discern the complementary connection between one’s being and the first cause of creation. Aristotle, like Kant, recognised that the age-old problem of scepticism posed a challenge to epistemological, ontological, and ethical claims. However, Kant did not develop his ideas regarding bridging the gap between what is demonstrable and the first cause of creation – which resulted in perpetuating problems with scepticism and dualism. Consequently, in the effort to resolve the problems of scepticism and dualism, to promote self-actualisation, holistic well-being and, to help individuals realise their full potential there is a resurgence of Aristotle’s explanation of the relationship between self-knowledge and knowledge of the first cause of creation. This article contributes to the philosophy of science, the philosophy of the social sciences, the philosophy of religion, to contemporary literature on social psychology, and to literature addressing the interface between the sciences and perennial philosophy by demonstrating that Aristotle’s perennial wisdom and his epistemic approach – based on logical positivism – resolve problems related to scepticism, materialism, and dualism.

Highlights

Aristotle depicts the soul as a detectable aspect of one‟s being in the form of properties and is discernable by cognition
Encompasses the teleological significance of knowledge concerning the first cause of creation, the process nature of reality, and his explanation depicts the life process as a movement toward reaching one‟s full potential – as he emphasised that the life process continues even after one has reached full growth
Aristotle thought of the soul as a fundamental motivational force impelling the life process

Summary

Introduction

Aristotle provided a viable and comprehensive explanation of the first cause of creation: i.e. the essential cause, the ultimate cause, the Arché ('αρχη), or the final cause of creation. ISSN 0975-332X encompasses the teleological significance of knowledge concerning the first cause of creation, the process nature of reality, and his explanation depicts the life process as a movement toward reaching one‟s full potential – as he emphasised that the life process continues even after one has reached full growth In this respect, Aristotle referred to the purpose of existence as reaching one‟s full potential and achieving self-knowledge. Section three explains the connection between the nature of the soul and the human psyche – Aristotle‟s explanation of the connection between one‟s psychic potential and the first cause of creation (i.e. in terms proposed by Carl Jung it means understanding the difference between the ego and the collective level of consciousness – what Jung implies regarding the universal self and the true self) That is to say that the concluding section provides a brief explanation of why there was a resurgence of Aristotle‟s transcendental perspective on psychology

The Ontological Nature of Existence

Integral Being

Conclusion