Book 6 / Chapter 3
Paragraph 1 - The States of the Soul and Their Relation to Truth
Explanation - Part By Part
"Let us begin, then, from the beginning, and discuss these states once more."
Aristotle signals he is about to systematically review and discuss the key mental states or intellectual faculties that lead to truth. He refers to these as "states" and is preparing to go over them again for clarity and deeper explanation. By starting "from the beginning," he’s resetting his focus to ensure the reader thoroughly understands the ways in which the mind can grasp truthful knowledge. This serves as a foundation for exploring the virtues of the intellect.
"Let it be assumed that the states by virtue of which the soul possesses truth by way of affirmation or denial are five in number, i.e. art, scientific knowledge, practical wisdom, philosophic wisdom, intuitive reason;"
Aristotle is outlining the different ways the soul can arrive at truth—how we, as humans, can correctly affirm or deny something (essentially, how we know things with certainty). He identifies five key "states" or ways of achieving this reliable understanding:
1. Art (Technē) – This refers to skill or craftsmanship. It's the ability to create or produce something according to knowledge. For example, a sculptor knows how to create a statue because they understand the techniques and materials involved.
2. Scientific Knowledge (Epistēmē) – This involves knowing universal truths through study, observation, and logical reasoning. It's systematic and certain, such as knowing that water boils at 100°C under standard atmospheric conditions.
3. Practical Wisdom (Phronēsis) – This is about having good judgment in everyday life and being able to navigate moral and practical decisions. It’s not just abstract knowledge—it’s knowledge applied to action, like understanding the best way to treat others in a particular situation.
4. Philosophic Wisdom (Sophia) – This combines deep theoretical knowledge and an understanding of fundamental truths. It’s the pursuit of wisdom about the universe and existence itself—what philosophers aim for when they ask "big questions" about life, reality, and the nature of things.
5. Intuitive Reason (Nous) – This is the ability to grasp self-evident truths or first principles directly, without a step-by-step explanation. For instance, understanding that "the whole is greater than its parts" doesn’t require detailed reasoning; it’s immediately clear to us.
These five states are reliable paths to truth, unlike "judgment" or "opinion," which Aristotle excludes here because they can easily be misguided or incorrect. By presenting these categories, Aristotle is framing the different types of intellectual virtues that guide us toward understanding the world and living wisely.
"we do not include judgement and opinion because in these we may be mistaken."
Aristotle here is excluding judgment and opinion from the list of mental states through which the soul attains truth. Why? Because judgment and opinion are fallible—there’s always a chance they might be wrong. In other words, these two are not reliable ways of achieving truth. Instead, Aristotle focuses on states of mind that lead to certainty and understanding, which are more dependable paths to grasping reality and gaining knowledge. For him, it's about aiming for solid, trustworthy methods of thinking rather than those prone to error or uncertainty.