Influence of Ancient Philosophers

How the human mind functions and its composition are some of the most complex questions that mankind has attempted to answer for years. While a full understanding is yet to be gained, encouraging progress has been made. Philosophers have played a critical role in shedding light on how various components of the human mind work together to allow man to make sense of the world. From such ancient philosophers as Plato to Renaissance-era thinkers like Desiderius, there is no shortage of philosophers who have shared their perspectives on the structure and function of the human mind. It is true that the views that the different philosophers shared. One would expect that the different views would create confusion. This is not the case since by combining the different perspectives, a near-complete and comprehensive understanding of the human mind can be gained.

Part 1 

As already noted above, various philosophers have shared their ideas regarding the human mind. In the appendix, a timeline of the lives of these philosophers and their respective theories concerning the human mind is provided. The purpose of this timeline is to outline the evolution of perspectives on the human mind and the wide range of views that philosophers have held over the years.

Part 2 

As the timeline in the appendix makes clear, various philosophers have held varying positions regarding the human mind. While all the philosophers have had enduring impacts on human understanding of the mind, the effects of some of the philosophers have been most profound. Socrates, Plato and Peter Damian are among the philosophers whose views continue to define knowledge on the human mind. In the following section, an examination of the strengths and weaknesses of the perspectives of these philosophers is offered. Furthermore, the section examines the contribution that the philosophers have made to human knowledge.

Plato 

Mind-body dualism is the primary premise of the perspectives of Plato concerning the human mind. As noted in the timeline, Plato was convinced that the material body and the mind were the main constituents of the human being. There are a number of strengths that have enabled Plato’s views to remain relevant and achieve validity. The fact that he adopts a rational approach in his attempt to validate his mind-body dualism argument is among the key strengths. Plato developed various arguments to support his belief that the mind and body are distinct. For example, using the argument of the cycle of opposites, he argued that all objects have an opposite (Friedlander, 2015). This argument led him to believe that human souls are able to perpetually enter the world of the living before being taken to the world of the dead. Another argument that he provided concerns knowledge. He observed that humans are capable of understanding issues that defy time and space (Friedlander, 2015). Similarly, there must be some component of human beings that remain unaffected by time and space. The mind is this component. While Plato’s perspective is based on solid arguments, there are some weaknesses that erode its validity. Among these weaknesses is the argument that not all objects have an opposite and that the body plays a critical role in shaping human identity.

While it is true that Plato’s arguments possessed some flaws, his contribution to man’s understanding of the mind cannot be ignored. One of the contributions that Plato made is that his thoughts have been used to understand mental illness and develop effective interventions. In his article, Bennett (2007) identifies Plato as among the philosophers whose thoughts have been incorporated into psychiatry. Another significant impact that Plato has had is that he has allowed the Christian community to gain a better understanding of the mind and its relationship with the body (Bennett, 2007). In essence, Plato’s views opened up a new dimension of human thought. Thanks to his ideas, a better understanding of how the mind is able to transcend the limits of the material body has been gained.

Socrates 

Socrates shared Plato’s dualist approach to human beings. He also believed that the mind and the body are the primary elements that constitute humans. A review of his perspectives reveals a number of strengths and weaknesses. One of the key strengths is his assertion that the mind is essential for the acquisition of knowledge (Pandya, 2012). What makes this a strength is the Socrates’ acknowledgement that mental faculties are needed for individuals to make sense of the world. Using the mind, one is able to rely on what they observe to gain insights into deeper issues. The fact that Plato shared his position regarding the mind-body dualism is another strength. This fact shows that Plato is not alone in his belief that the mind and the body are made up of different substances and perform different functions. Perhaps the only weakness in his argument is his failure to provide practical and real evidence of his claims. This is unlike Plato who offered valid and practical arguments in support of his assertions. While Socrates’ views are not flawless, he made significant contributions to understanding of the human mind. Sunil Pandya (2011) noted that the thoughts of Socrates and other ancient Greek philosophers have served as the basis for such fields as neurology and neurosurgery. Essentially, by shedding light on the distinction between the mind and the body, Socrates provided mankind with the insights required to develop fields concerned with healthcare and mental health. Today, mental and physical health are regarded as separate components of human health. This has allowed for focus to be placed on providing mental health services without neglecting the physical health needs of individuals.

Peter Damian 

On the question of the structure and function of the mind, Damian invoked his Christian faith. He felt that while the human mind is complex, it simply lacks the capacity to understand divine matters. Damian also acknowledged that while it was unable to make sense of the divine, the human mind could be relied on to understand the physical world (Ranft, 2012). Among the main strengths of his theory is his recognition of the limits of the human mind. As already noted, Damian was convinced that the divine were simply beyond human comprehension. He advised that to understand the divine, people should rely on faith (Ranft, 2012). Herein lies the main weakness of his theory. Unlike other philosophers who adopt a practical approach, Damian resorted to religion. His failure to provide insights that individuals could relate to renders his theory weak and limits its effectiveness in shedding light on the human mind. However, it is worth noting that even with this weakness, Damian’s theory has still played a significant role. The key role is that his theory recognizes that spirituality is a critical element of human life and can be used to engage with the supernatural.

Comparison to Biblical Perspectives 

For many Christians, the Bible remains an indispensable source of insight on a wide range of issues. The human mind is among the questions that the Bible addresses. In various sections, the Bible recognizes the limitations of the human mind and the perfection of Godly wisdom. For example, in Romans12:2, the Bible advises that individuals should refuse to conform to the standards of the world and that they should lean on God’s perfect will. This message is echoed in Proverbs 3:5-6 which advises against relying on one’s own understanding. Essentially, the Bible asserts that the human mind is incapable to knowing all. Damian shared this view. He believed that divine issues were beyond human understanding and that it was only through faith that humans could make sense of these issues. Regarding the duality of body and mind, the Bible recognizes that while they exist in physical bodies, humans are spiritual beings. For example, in Ecclesiastes 12:7, the Bible states that upon death, the body becomes dust while the spirit is reunited with God. Here, the Bible essentially endorses the dualist approach that Plato and Socrates presented.

In conclusion, definite conclusions regarding the human mind are yet to be reached. However, there are a wide range of opinions regarding this issue. Such philosophers as Plato, Descartes and Socrates shared their perspectives regarding the human mind. While some of the philosophers focused on the duality of mind and body, others chose to examine the limits of the human mind. Combined, the different perspectives help to create a unified and comprehensive position of the complexity of the mind. The Bible also sheds light on this question. In general, the Bible appears to be in agreement with the various philosophical perspectives. For an even better understanding of the human mind to be gained, mankind should not relent in its quest for answers.

Appendix

427BC-347BC : Plato: In his exploration of the human mind, Plato adopted a dualist approach. He believed that a person is made up of a soul and the physical body (Long, 2015). He went further to identify three elements that constituted the soul (mind). These are reason, will and appetite. Whereas the appetite is responsible for physical urges, the will regulates such issues as passion and emotions. On the other hand, reason drives rational thought. Plato held further that using the mind, an individual can find the truth. 

470BC-399BC : Socrates: Socrates also adopted a dualist approach in his belief that the mind and the body were the main elements that comprised an individual. He discouraged relying on the body and urged people to turn to the mind for insight (Torre & Floyd-Thomas, 2011). He was convinced that by manipulating the mind, individual can attain tranquility. Socrates agreed with Plato that the mind can be used to establish the truth. 

515BC-450BC : Parmenides: The human mind is vital for the acquisition of knowledge (Curd, 2015). By leveraging the power of the mind, individuals can acquire knowledge beyond what their senses allow. 

570BC-495BC: Pythagoras: humans should strive to achieve harmony between their minds and the divine (Violin, 1990). 

4BC-65AD : Seneca the Younger: Seneca gave focus to man’s pursuit of peace. He believed that through reflection on the truth, the mind can lead to enduring peace (Seneca, 1995). 

535BC- 475BC : Heraclitus: Developed the theory of the psyche which is the part of the human being that drives human life (Robb, 1986). There is contention regarding his view on whether the psyche is immortal. 

1007-1072 : Peter Damian: Damian attempted to link the human mind to spirituality. He argued that despite one’s best efforts, it is impossible to make sense of divine judgment (Ranft, 2012). He also believed that the mind is dynamic. 

1214-1292 : Roger Bacon: believed that the soul existed in two forms. There was an intellectual soul whose creation Bacon attributed to God (Raizman-Kedar, 2009). He also believed that man possessed a sensitive soul that was shaped by nature. 

1469-1527: Niccolo Machiavelli: Machiavelli believed that man possessed a mind that could not be relied on to determine enlightened self-interest (Machiavelli, 2002). Furthermore, he felt that mankind was selfish and irrational. 

1596-1650: Rene Descartes: His theory sought to establish a distinction between the mind and the body. He felt that the mind and the body are distinct and that one can be without the other (Rozemond, 2009). This belief gave rise to the mind-body problem. 

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