Summary:
This paper examines the issue of human consciousness (soul), as developed through the work of two pivotal philosophers, Aristotle and John Locke.
In the first part, the work of the Stagerite philosopher ¨Peri Psychis¨ is presented, in which the biological substrate of the human soul and the synergy of its powers are studied in order to achieve its completeness.Aristotle's approach seems to have many elements in common with the modern theory of functionalism, the basic position of which is that thinking is an internal causal function that pursues a purpose particularly indicative of the being that carries it out.
The second part of the paper focuses on Locke's work ¨An Essay Concerning Human Understanding¨ and his attempt to demonstrate that the function of consciousness does have a sensory origin, on the other hand, its internal function shifts its center from the world to human subject.The reality of the world depends on the inner workings of the mind. This specific internalization acquires a more emblematic character with Locke's belief that the personal identity of man becomes completely independent of his physical dimension and is related to introspection and the consciousness of the mental continuity of his memory.
So, on the one hand, the importance that the two philosophers attribute to the empirical world and, on the other hand, their divergence regarding the subject of consciousness are examined.The soul for Aristotle is directly connected to the human body and its functions, it has a monistic character, while for Locke, from the moment consciousness as intellect is internalized, it is led to the next step to become completely independent from the body, reinforcing the dualistic theories. In addition, the work of the two philosophers seems to echo the modern theory of functionalism as the most suitable to approach the subject of consciousness.
Keywords:
soul, consciousness, functionalism, personal identity, Aristotle, John Locke
