Teaching Sensation–Perception Psychology with De Anima

Abstract

In De Anima, which is translated “On the Soul,” Aristotle tries to define the nature and major characteristics of the human “psyche” or soul. Aristotle argues that the psyche consists of different faculties which are responsible for performing different functions. The “lowest” level of the psyche consists of the “nutritive function.” The next level of the psyche is what he calls the “perceptive function” and consists of what we today would consider “sensation–perception.” This part of the soul is responsible for registering information coming from each of the five senses (sensation) as well as organizing this information into unified percepts (perception). Students also read the chapter on Sensation and Perception from the introductory textbook. Class time is devoted to comparing and contrasting Aristotle’s approach to sensation and perception with modern accounts.