This quote highlights four key capacities that Aristotle believed define the soul: self-nutrition, sensation, thinking, and movement.
Self-nutrition refers to the inherent ability of an entity to sustain itself, grow, and reproduce. It is about self-preservation and self-development, which could be seen as the soul’s instinct for survival and growth.
Sensation is the capacity to perceive and interact with the world around us. It’s not just about physical sensations, but also emotional and intellectual ones. This capacity allows us to experience the world in its full depth and richness, and to respond to it in ways that are meaningful and fulfilling.
Thinking, according to Aristotle, is the highest function of the soul. It is through thinking that we make sense of our experiences, reflect on them, and derive insights and understanding. Thinking enables us to learn, to create, to problem-solve, and to make decisions. It is the capacity that most distinguishes us as humans.
Movement, in this context, doesn’t just mean physical movement, but also change, development, and progress. It is the capacity of the soul to evolve, to adapt, to strive for better and higher states of being.
In today’s world, these capacities are as relevant as ever. They provide a framework for personal development and self-improvement.
Self-nutrition could be seen as the importance of self-care, of taking care of our physical, emotional, and mental health. It’s about nourishing ourselves with good food, rest, exercise, positive relationships, meaningful work, and fulfilling hobbies.
Sensation reminds us to stay open and receptive to the world around us, to be mindful and present, to savour our experiences and learn from them. It’s about cultivating emotional intelligence and empathy, and appreciating the beauty and richness of life.
Thinking underscores the importance of lifelong learning, critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. It’s about continually expanding our knowledge and understanding, challenging our assumptions and biases, and striving for wisdom.
Movement signifies the importance of growth, change, and progress. It’s about setting goals, embracing challenges, persevering in the face of obstacles, and continually striving to become better versions of ourselves.