észlélek

Eszlélek is a Hungarian term referring to the rational or intellectual part of the human soul. It combines ész (mind, intellect) with lélek (soul) and is used primarily in philosophical and theological contexts to denote the aspect of human nature capable of reason, abstract thought, language, and deliberate choice. The concept is usually presented as the part of the soul that distinguishes humans from other living beings.

Historically, eszlélek is rooted in the Aristotelian-Scholastic tradition. In this view the soul is the form of the body and is structured into different powers or faculties: a vegetative (nutritive) part, a sensitive (animal) part, and a rational part. The eszlélek corresponds to the rational part, which enables thought, reflection, and understanding. In medieval philosophy, discussions often include distinctions within the rational soul, such as active and passive intellect, and debates about the immortality and immaterial nature of the rational faculty.

In Hungarian usage, eszlélek appears in discussions of human nature, consciousness, and the mind-body relationship. It is a term more common in historical, philosophical, and theological writings than in contemporary empirical psychology, where terms like tudat or elme are preferred for describing cognitive processes. The concept remains a reference point in Hungarian translations of classical authors and in debates about rationality, freedom, and the essence of personhood.