Idea of the Soul

Regular price €40.99
Quantity:
In stock with our UK publisher. 14-28 days
Delivery/Collection within 10-20 working days
14 days return policy Shipping & Delivery
A01=William Ellis
ancient metaphysics
Aristotelian entelechy
Author_William Ellis
Cartesian dualism
Category=PDA
Category=QDHR
eq_bestseller
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_new_release
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
eq_science
historical development of soul concept
history of consciousness
mind body problem
philosophical behaviourism

Product details

  • ISBN 9781032880471
  • Weight: 580g
  • Dimensions: 156 x 234mm
  • Publication Date: 19 Jan 2026
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
  • Publication City/Country: GB
  • Product Form: Paperback
Secure checkout Fast Shipping Easy returns

First Published in 1940, this book which is written not so much for the philosopher as for the ordinary educated man, is an account of the idea of the soul. It attempts to answer two questions-a) what is the idea of the soul; and b) why has it become ‘unwelcome’? The first question is answered by tracing the actual historical development of the idea- from early myths of the soul up to Renaissance philosophy. The second question is dealt with by considering the idea of the soul as it is affected by modern scientific ideas, particularly biological ideas.

The book discusses themes like the physical psyche; the natural philosophers; Socrates; the Platonic immaterial real; rebirth of philosophy and birth of Christianity; Neo- Pythagorean method of biology; Behaviourism and nature and the organism. This will be an interesting historical reference work for students of philosophy.

William Ellis (at the time of the first publication of this book) was Lecturer in Experimental Zoology, Liverpool University.

More from this author