Abstract

In this thesis I examine the meaning and role of the term $\alpha\acute\iota\sigma\theta\eta\sigma\iota\varsigma$ in early Stoic thought. A$\acute\iota\sigma\theta\eta\sigma\iota\varsigma$ is usually translated as "perception" and is frequently conflated with the term $\varphi\alpha\nu\tau\alpha\sigma\acute\iota\alpha$ or "presentation." Scholarly discussions over the last century have focused almost exclusively on the role of $\varphi\alpha\nu\tau\alpha\sigma\acute\iota\alpha$. This dissertation targets those elements of the Stoic theory of perception that have been neglected. I, therefore, have two primary objectives: to investigate the various meanings of the term $\alpha\acute\iota\sigma\theta\eta\sigma\iota\varsigma$, and to examine $\alpha\acute\iota\sigma\theta\eta\sigma\iota\varsigma$ as a physical process responsible for sense-perception. By focusing on these two neglected elements of the Stoic theory of perception I believe that the overall theory will be more clearly understood. ;According to the Stoics the term $\alpha\acute\iota\sigma\theta\eta\sigma\iota\varsigma$ is ambiguous. In chapter one I examine the various meanings and denotations attributed to the term. These can be reduced to three general meanings: the apparatus of sense-perception, the activity of the apparatus, and the culminating apprehension. These three general meanings form the skeleton of this dissertation. ;In chapters two and three I examine the nature of the sensory apparatus, and in particular, the role of $\pi\nu\varepsilon\tilde\upsilon\mu\alpha$ as the material substance of the sensory apparatus. In chapters four and five I examine the activity of the sensory apparatus and mechanism which is responsible for the successful transmission and reception of sensory information. I also analyse the individual senses and reconstruct the Stoic theory of vision. The final chapter is an examination of the culminating event of sense-perception, the apprehension $\lbrack\kappa\alpha\tau\acute\alpha\lambda\eta\psi\iota\varsigma\rbrack$ of the sense-object. This is defined as an assent to a clear and incorrigible sensory presentation. ;In the course of this investigation we shall see that the term $\alpha\acute\iota\sigma\theta\eta\sigma\iota\varsigma$ does not refer to all "sensory experience" or "sensation." As an activity, $\alpha\acute\iota\sigma\theta\eta\sigma\iota\varsigma$ is responsible for all sensory experience but is not identified as the experience. The term $\alpha\acute\iota\sigma\theta\eta\sigma\iota\varsigma,$ in its epistemological sense, is reserved exclusively for a successful and incorrigible apprehension through the senses. It, therefore, should not be conflated with non or mis-assented presentations