The Stoics, Epicureans and Sceptics - College of Stoic Philosophers

?u THE STOICS.
Chap.
IX.
the nature of man, Plato and Aristotle had already
fixed on the heart as the central organ of the lower
powers ; the brain they assigned to reason, with
the view of distinguishing the rational from the
mere animal soul.' When, therefore, the Stoics as-
similated man's rational activity to the activity of
the senses, deducing both from one and the same
source, it was natural that they would depart from
Aristotle's view. Accordingly, the various parts of
the soul were supposed to discharge themselves from
their centre in the heart into the several organs, in
the form of atmospheric currents. Seven such
parts are enumerated, besides the dominant part or
reason, which was also callt'd yjysfxovcKov, Biavo-
rjTtKov, XoyicTTiKov, or \oyiafi6s.
These seven parts
consist of the five senses, the power of reproduction,
and the ^
power of speech ; and, following out their
view of the close relation of speech and thought,'
'
Aristotle had assigned no
particular organ of tiie Ijody to
reason.
•'
Plut. Plac. iv. 4, 2. Ibid,
c. 21 : The Stoics consider the
TjytixoviKhv to be the highest part
of the soul ; it begets the