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Rational assent and self-reversion: a Neoplatonist response to the Stoics

Abstract:
This paper begins by arguing that, according to the Stoics, humans are accountable for assenting (and withholding assent) just because of the way in which the capacity for assent is reason-responsive. The paper then goes on to raise a question for this view. What is it about the nature of our capacity for assent that enables it to be reason-responsive in a way that other psychic capacities are not? For an answer to this question, the paper turns to Ps-Simplicius’ commentary on Aristotle’s De Anima. Ps-Simplicius draws on the Neoplatonist notion of self-reversion to explain what is distinctive about the rational capacity for assent. The paper spells out this account and argues that it provides a basis for explaining the distinctively reason-responsive nature of our capacity for assent.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
HUMS
Department:
Philosophy Faculty
Role:
Author

Contributors

Role:
Editor


Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Volume:
50
Pages:
237-288
Series:
Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy
Publication date:
2016-08-30
Acceptance date:
2015-11-07
DOI:
ISBN:
9780198778226


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
pubs:571953
UUID:
uuid:88bde4d4-0b57-402b-b8f2-beb26f1c83e2
Local pid:
pubs:571953
Source identifiers:
571953
Deposit date:
2015-11-03

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