psziché

Psiché (Greek: Ψυχή, "soul" or "breath") is a term with deep roots in ancient Greek philosophy, mythology, and medicine, evolving into a foundational concept in Western thought. In classical Greek thought, psiché referred to the vital principle that animates living beings, encompassing both the breath of life and the essence of the self. The philosopher Aristotle distinguished between the *psiché* as the form of the body, governing its functions, and the *nous* (mind or intellect), which he considered a higher faculty within it.

In mythology, Psiché (lowercase) was a mortal woman whose story, as told by Apuleius in *The Golden Ass*, became a symbol of the soul’s journey toward divine union. Her trials, including encounters with the underworld and near-death experiences, were interpreted as allegories of the soul’s ascent toward enlightenment or union with the divine. This narrative influenced later Christian and Neoplatonic interpretations of the soul’s immortality and its struggle between earthly desires and spiritual purity.

In medicine, the concept of psiché was linked to the balance of bodily humors, with imbalances believed to affect both physical and mental well-being. Hippocratic texts often referenced the soul’s role in health, suggesting that diseases could stem from disturbances in the soul’s harmony with the body.

The term later evolved in Christian theology, where the soul (*anima* in Latin) was seen as the immortal essence of a person, distinct from the body but destined for eternal life. This dualistic view persisted in medieval and Renaissance thought, shaping discussions on free will, morality, and the afterlife. In modern psychology, the concept of the psyche—derived from *psiché*—refers to the totality of an individual’s mental processes, including consciousness, unconsciousness, and personality. Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung expanded on this idea, framing the psyche as a dynamic system of drives, defenses, and symbolic structures that shape human behavior and experience. Today, the term remains influential in philosophy, psychology, and cultural studies as a cornerstone of understanding human nature and existence.