On the Soul (De Anima) with Simplicius Commentary

should perish, lest the universe should be imperfect; for the world is a fullness of forms; and it is impossible that sublunary sublunary: earthly, or located below the moon natures should remain numerically the same, since they are capable of being generated and corrupted. Hence, these also participate in perpetuity as far as they are able, since all things desire eternity, or the first perpetuity, as their proper principle. Each individual participates in this according to its own measure. Hence, also, terrestrial natures—not being able to be numerically perpetual—each participate in perpetuity by generating a being like themselves. This work of nature—namely, for every vital being to generate another like itself—is what nature proposes to herself as her principal goal. Since, therefore, we require generation, but the generative power exists in a definite magnitude, on this account we require increase. Since, also, increase is produced through nutriment, we are in need of the nutritive power; and hence, both we and irrational animals participate in physical powers. So that when we act according to these powers, we act as plants; but when according to anger and desire, we act as irrational animals; and we alone act as men when we employ the reasoning power. Hence, also, Plotinus Plotinus (c. 204–270 AD), a major philosopher of Neoplatonism. very divinely says, “that those who furiously act according to the nutritive powers are in danger of being changed into trees.”

It is worth while, however, to consider what the difference is between desire 4 It must be carefully observed by the reader, that desire, in conjunction with anger, form the two great orectic and vital powers of the soul; that these powers are irrational; and that consequently desire, as an irrational power, is not merely a wish to enjoy any thing, because, in this sense of the word, there are rational as well as irrational desires. and those natural powers, the generative and nutritive. For we do not see that desire acts regarding anything else than about