“The Anthropological Function of Pneuma from the Perspective of the Later Stoics”
Subject Areas : ریشهشناسی مکاتب و آراء فلسفی در ادوار قدیم و جدیدNegar Ezhari Jenekanloo 1 , Majid Yarian Koupaei 2 * , Raham Sharaf 3
1 - PhD Candidate in Philosophy and Islamic Theology, Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
2 - Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
3 - Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
Keywords: Pneuma, Soul, Body, Logos, Cosmos, Later Stoics.,
Abstract :
The present study investigates the mediating role of pneuma in explaining the relationship between the soul and body from the perspective of the Stoics. Unlike dualistic traditions, Stoics conceived pneuma as a dynamic force possessing both corporeal and rational dimensions, functioning as the essential connective element between these two aspects of existence. In Stoic thought, this concept transcends mere biology; it constitutes the fundamental explanatory principle for the unity of the living organism, the mechanism of sensory perception, and rational activity.
The paper argues that pneuma, as an active substance permeating the entire cosmos, fulfills three key functions. Firstly, it acts as the force that preserves the body’s structure and cohesion, thereby enabling vital functions. Secondly, it serves as the mediator between soul and body through a specific structural “blending” (krasis). Thirdly, at the metaphysical level, it is intrinsically linked to the Logos (cosmic reason), playing a central role in harmonizing the individual human soul with the totality of the universe.
Employing a descriptive-analytical method, the study examines classical Stoic texts—particularly the works of Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius—to elucidate pneuma’s function as the core mechanism bridging the corporeal and rational aspects of humanity. By exploring the intricate relationship between pneuma, the Logos, and cosmic normativity, the paper concludes that this principle not only accounts for the individual’s biological and cognitive operations but also represents the cosmic force ensuring order and harmony within the entire Stoic philosophical cosmos.
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