The magnet has a soul

Metaphysics · soul (psychē) · hylozoism · the divine

What is claimed and why

1. Aristotle reports that, apparently, judging from what is related of him, Thales said the magnet has a soul because it attracts iron (Hicks renders the clause as a condition, 'if it be true that he affirmed'; the IEP, as a cause); Diogenes Laertius adds that, according to Aristotle and Hippias, Thales attributed a soul or life even to inanimate things, arguing from the magnet and from amber. ancient testimony
   Aristóteles, On the Soul (De anima) (tr. R. D. Hicks) — 1.2 405a19

   if it be true that he affirmed the loadstone to possess soul, because it attracts iron

   Diógenes Laercio, Lives of Eminent Philosophers (tr. R. D. Hicks) — 1.24

   Aristotle and Hippias affirm that, arguing from the magnet and from amber, he attributed a soul or life even to inanimate objects.

   Diógenes Laercio, Lives of Eminent Philosophers (tr. José Ortiz y Sanz) — §3

   Aristoteles y Hipias dicen que Tales atribuyó alma á cosas inanimadas, demostrandolo por la piedra iman y por el electro.

   Patricia O'Grady, Thales of Miletus (Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy) — §7 · consulted; copyrighted text, not reproduced
2. Aristotle mentions those who say that soul is interfused throughout the universe and suggests that this is perhaps why Thales supposed all things are full of gods. ancient testimony
   Aristóteles, On the Soul (De anima) (tr. R. D. Hicks) — 1.5 411a7

   which is perhaps why Thales supposed all things to be full of gods

   Diógenes Laercio, Lives of Eminent Philosophers (tr. R. D. Hicks) — 1.27

   the world is animate and full of divinities

   Patricia O'Grady, Thales of Miletus (Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy) — §7 · consulted; copyrighted text, not reproduced

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