Pneuma of smell

Olfactory extension — nose

The pneumatic extension of olfaction, terminating at the nose. Like the other sense-extensions, it is continuous with the hēgemonikon; smelling is the encounter of inhaled aerosolised matter with this terminus. The point is placed at the centre of the nasal region, between the third-eye landmark and the upper lip.

HēgemonikonPneuma of sight (right eye)Pneuma of sight (left eye)Pneuma of hearingPneuma of smellPneuma of smellPneuma of tastePneuma of touchPneuma of voice (phōnē)Pneuma of generation

Point 5 of 9 in Stoic Hēgemonikon — Central Commanding Faculty + Seven Pneumatic Extensions

Cross-tradition overlaps

No overlapping points are registered for this point.

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Sources

Diogenes Laertius, Lives VII.157 (primary_canonical)

Diogenes Laertius VII.157 identifies the five senses as parts subordinate to the hēgemonikon. For olfaction this supports a continuous pneumatic faculty terminating at the nose, rather than an autonomous nasal soul.

Aetius, Placita IV.21 (primary_canonical)

Placita IV.21 is a doxographical witness for the Stoic treatment of the sensory and generative extensions of pneuma. In this point it is used as supporting evidence for the nasal and olfactory termination, not for a uniquely fixed anatomical coordinate.

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