QUESTION: In book I, ch. 1 of the De anima (On the Soul) lays out the plan of inquiry he
intends to follow as he investigates the soul. In the first chapter of the second book he
presents, with variations, a general formula or definition of the soul as “the first
actuality of a natural body which has life potentially” (II, 1 412a27). Drawing especially
on these two chapters, explain Aristotle’s conception of the soul by unpacking this
formula or definition. Questions that you will want to tackle include: how is this
definition related to Aristotle’s views about form and matter, potentiality and actuality,
a thing’s nature, the agent and patient of change? What is meant by first
actuality? Does Aristotle think the soul is material or immaterial? You may want to
bring in some of the faculties of the soul, e.g., nutrition and perception to illustrate your
argument.
