Aristotle on Demarcating the Five Senses

Abstract

1 D. A. 4i8a8-25. For this sense of Kath Hauta, see An. Post. 73a34-b24. There are admittedly other senses. The following abbreviations are used in this paper: An. Post. Posterior Analytics Phys. Physics G. & C. De Generatione et Corruptione D.A. De Anima D.S. De Sensu Som. De Somno Insom. De Insomniis Resp. De Respiratione H.A. Historia Animalium P.A. De Partibus Animalium Metaph. Metaphysics 2 If one looks at his definitions of color, light, sound, odor, flavor, hot, cold, fluid, dry, one will find that they very seldom mention the senses. (D.A. 4i8bg-IO; 4i8bi6-I7, b2o, 4q9aq-II, 420a8-9, a2I-23, bii; D.S. 43gai9-20, b I I-I 2, 44i b 19-21, 443a7; G. & C. 329b26-32; P.A. 648a2o-65oa3.) Much less do the so-called common objects, properties perceptible by more than one sense, get defined by reference to the senses (e.g., unity: Metaph. IoI5bi6I0I7a3, I052aI5-1053b8; change: Phys. 20ia9-15). This is the more surprising, in view of the theory of actually functioning color at D.A. 425b26-426a26, which links color closely to sight. Admittedly, the definitions of color and light bring in the notion of transparency. But the connection between transparency and sight is stressed only in the definition of light (not strictly a sense object at all) at 4i8bg-io. Here light is defined by reference to the idea that when the air or water around us is dark, it is only potentially seeable-through whereas when it is light, we can actually see through it. Allowance should be made, of course, for Aristotle's purposes, which vary considerably in these different passages and which can influence the content of his definitions. But, nonetheless, it should not be supposed that he thinks the best or most scientific definition of sense objects, or the one that gives their essence, will mention the senses. The essence of color is stated at D.A. 4I 9a9-I I, without any very direct reference to sight.

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