C. DOES THE SOUL EMPLOY DISCURSIVE REASON WHILE DISCARNATE?

THE SOUL DOES NOT USE DISCURSIVE REASON EXCEPT WHILE HINDERED BY THE

OBSTACLES OF THE BODY.

18. Does the soul ratiocinate before entering upon the body, and after

having left it? No: she reasons only while in a body, because she is

uncertain, embarrassed and weakened. To need to reason in order to

arrive at complete knowledge always betrays weakening of intellect. In

the arts reasoning occurs only when the artist hesitates before some

obstacle. Where there is no difficulty in the matter, art masters it,

and produces its work instantly.

Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 2 In Chronological Order, Grouped in Four Periods · 第 136 / 381 题