Contemplating Quote by Aristotle
“The soul has two parts, one rational and the other irrational. Let us now similarly divide the rational part, and let it be assumed that there are two rational faculties, one whereby we contemplate those things whose first principles are invariable, and one whereby we contemplate those things which admit of variation.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Metaphysics, 4th century BC
Divides the rational soul into two faculties: one that contemplates unchanging principles, the other that deals with variable, changeable matters.
In simple terms: Two rational parts: fixed truths and changing ideas.
Key Takeaway
Balance study of constants and change.
Themes
philosophy
knowledge
human nature
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- academic research
- ethical decision‑making
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
metaphysics
epistemology
logic
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile constants with change?
- When should flexibility guide reasoning?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on fixed principles can ignore context.
![“[A]s it is impossible that any man endowed with rational faculties, and being in a state of freedom, should willingly agree, without some motive of love or friendship, absolutely to sacrifice his own interest to that of another; it becomes necessary to impose upon him, to persuade him, that his…” quote by Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/825/henry-fielding-1358_freedom_a-s-it-is-impossible-that-any-man-endowe_2361465.jpg)
