“We must no more ask whether the soul and body are one than ask whether the wax and the figure impressed on it are one.”
- 384 BC – 322 BC
- Originating from Macedonia in ancient Greece
- Philosopher and scientist, founder of the Lyceum academy
- A student of Plato, he constructed systematic knowledge in logic, biology, politics, ethics, etc., and had a major impact on the development of Western thought and science
Quote
“We must no more ask whether the soul and body are one than ask whether the wax and the figure impressed on it are one.”
Explanation
In this quote, Aristotle uses the analogy of wax and the impression made upon it to explain the relationship between the soul and the body. Just as the wax and the figure impressed on it are not two separate entities, but rather exist together in a unified form, the soul and body cannot be considered separate in the same way. The body is the material substance, and the soul is the form or essence that gives it life and purpose. They are intrinsically connected, much like the wax and the shape it takes when impressed. The soul gives the body its particular function, while the body provides the means through which the soul expresses itself.
This idea is fundamental to Aristotle’s concept of hylomorphism, the belief that all living things are a combination of matter (the body) and form (the soul). The soul is not separate from the body; rather, it is what animates and organizes the body, and the body provides the medium for the soul to express its capacities (such as reason, emotion, and action).
This view is still relevant today in the philosophy of mind and neuroscience. While modern discussions of the mind-body problem often explore whether consciousness can exist independently of the brain, Aristotle’s quote suggests a more integrated view of human nature—one where the mind and body are inseparable and work together as a unified system. For example, physical health and mental health are closely connected, and imbalances in one can affect the other, emphasizing the interconnectedness of mind and body.
Aristotle’s quote encourages us to think of the soul and body not as opposing or separate forces, but as complementary aspects of a single, unified organism. Just as the figure cannot exist without the wax that holds it, the soul cannot function properly without the body to manifest its capacities.
