On the Soul (De Anima) with Simplicius Commentary

I N T R O D U C T I O N.

THE present volume is remarkable more for the importance of the information it contains than for its variety, although that variety is significant. The first of these treatises, in particular, demands our most earnest attention. For what can be more interesting to man than the knowledge of his own soul? Since intellect, as we are taught by Aristotle, is the true man himself; and all our wisdom and happiness consist in the knowledge of ourselves.

This treatise, however, which is written with all the scientific accuracy for which the works of the Stagirite A common epithet for Aristotle, referring to his birthplace, Stagira. are so pre-eminently distinguished and justly celebrated, is also composed with a studied obscurity of language, like all the other acroamatic Intended for or understood by only a small group of initiated disciples; esoteric. writings of this sublime genius. The reader, therefore, must not expect to understand it—regardless of their own abilities—unless they possess scientific habits, preparatory knowledge, are a sincere lover of truth, and apply themselves to the study with a mind that is at once ardent, unencumbered, and liberal. I know there are many who are deterred from perusing the more abstruse writings of Aristotle by their ob-