On the Soul (De Anima) with Simplicius Commentary

soul are inseparable from this gross body; but others, that the vegetative soul The soul responsible for growth, nutrition, and reproduction. alone is inseparable from it; and that the irrational soul The soul responsible for perception and movement. is indeed separable from this body, yet is inseparable from a certain pneumatic Meaning "breath-like" or "spirit-like." body, which is the true opinion, and which was also adopted by Plato and Aristotle.

It is not, however, proper to acquiesce in the assertions of the ancients, unaccompanied with proofs of their truth, but we should procure demonstrations of everything; for these dogmas extend to the whole of our life. To which we may add, as we have before observed, that nothing can be more appropriate to us than the knowledge of ourselves. We shall demonstrate, therefore, that every soul is incorporeal, and that the rational soul alone is separable from all body, and on this account is immortal; that the irrational soul, indeed, is separable from this gross body, but is inseparable from the pneumatic vehicle; and, farther still, that after its egress from this gross body, it remains for a certain time; and that the vegetative soul has its being in this body, and perishes together with it.

That all the above-mentioned opinions, therefore, which assert that the soul is a body, whether simple or composite, are false, that we may give a confutation of them all in common, is evident, from the following arguments: Every body is, according to its own nature, dissipable, and is divisible to infinity. Hence it requires something to connect it. With respect to this something, therefore, by which it is connected, since it is either soul, or some other power, whether is it a body, or incorporeal? If, indeed, it is a body, there will again be wanting that by which it is connected. Again, therefore, we may interrogate concerning this connecting something, whether it is a body, or incorporeal; and this will be the case to infinity. Hence it is