Aristotle held that while humans are animals, the human soul is so different that humans must be defined separately than other living things (plants and animals).
Aristotle specifically noted that thought and intellect separates humans from other living things.
Obviously, science has since provided us much more insight into the intricacies of life since Aristotle, in regards to both plants and animals. Consider the capability of language that has been explored in some species (gorillas, dolphins). [Obviously we are not research scientists; please use your general awareness of scientific advances over the last 2400 years.]
Discuss Aristotle’s theory in regards to general modern knowledge of plants and animals. Does his theory still hold?
Aristotle says that soul is basically the organic and natural form of body. Souls is something which provide us a realisation of life. This soul can be of three type. It can be nutritive, sensible and the rational type of soul. Nutritive type of soul takes nutrition in many forms.
It grows. It also shows a tendency to get decay. Plants and animals show such types of soul. Sensible types of soul basically is the soul which is related with perception. It provides us various types of senses and experiences. We feel pain and pleasure due to this type of soul.
This type of soul is not being possessed by plants. Animals have this type of soul. Humans understand and perceive his/her surroundings through his/her sense organs. All these happen due to sensible soul. Rational soul is the soul which can be considered as the extension of sensible soul.
It provides us an ability to think about right and wrong. It also helps in making various decisions according to the situations. It enables us to react in an appropriate manner. Modern science ignores the concept of soul. Aristotle theory talks about soul which is different from the concepts of modern science but when we realise the concept of souls through deeper senses then we come across various similarities between sense organs & soul, rational thinking & firing of neurons, functioning of organs & ability to grow. and many more.
Terms may be different but same extract out can be felt. Hence, Aristotle's theory seems fairly justified in the context of modern science.
Aristotle held that while humans are animals, the human soul is so different that humans must...