Očima lékaře: Studie k počátkům řeckého myšlení o lidské přirozenosti z hlediska rozlišení duše - tělo – Hynek Josef (2007)

A study on the beginnings of Greek thought about human nature from the perspective of the distinction between soul and body. The concepts of soul and body, which are an obvious part of our everyday language, are generally understood in a certain opposition. In its extreme form, this opposition is perceived as the dualism of soul and body, the roots of which are sought as far back as ancient Greece. The book attempts to show that the notion of soul and body as opposing, independent principles is merely an extreme and relatively atypical version of the idea distinguishing human nature into mental and physical aspects. The earliest evidence of such reflections can be found in the works of Greek physicians, philosophers, rhetoricians, and sophists from the fifth and early fourth centuries BC. Their common theme is not religious speculation, as one might expect, but the reflection of human nature in the tension between health and illness. Thus, the originally historical question proves to be inspiring for contemporary discussions about human nature at the intersection of the humanities and medicine.