Aristotle, On the life-bearing spirit (De spiritu) : a discussion with Plato and his predecessors on pneuma as the instrumental body of the soul / / introduction, translation, and commentary by Abraham P. Bos and Rein Ferwerda.

• Author: Bos, A. P.
• TeilnehmendeR: Ferwerda, R.
• Year of Publication: 2008
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Series: Brill eBook titles 2008
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (219 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.
• Other title: Preliminary Materials /; Introduction /; Translation /; Commentary /; Appendix. De Partibus Animalium I 1 Opposing Views On Respiration In Plato And Aristotle Discussed In De Partibus Animalium I 1, 642a31–B4 /; Bibliography /; Index Locorum /; Index Nominum /
• Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references (p. [197]-199) and indexes.
• ISBN: 1283060612; 9786613060617; 9047432681
• Hierarchical level: Monograph
• Statement of Responsibility: introduction, translation, and commentary by Abraham P. Bos and Rein Ferwerda.

In contrast to what is often thought, the work De spiritu is entirely Aristotelian. It provides an indispensable part of Aristotle’s philosophy of living nature. In this work he is the first Greek to argue that the most fundamental vital principle is not breath but vital heat. This vital heat forms a unity with the soul, as its instrumental body ( sôma organikon ). The treatise is mainly a debate with Plato's Timaeus . This new book consists of an Introduction, a Translation, and an extensive Commentary on the text of De spiritu . The main value of this book is to show convincingly that Aristotle’s theory of soul and biology have been misconstrued since 200 AD due to the intervention of Alexander of Aphrodisias.