Greek · Greek philosophy

nous

νοῦς

Heard as noose

Period
classical to late antique
Semantic range
Intellect, understanding, the capacity to grasp.
What it can mean
From ordinary intelligence to Aristotle's intellect to Plotinus's divine Intellect.
What it should not be equated with
Not phenomenal consciousness. Intellect is not experience as such.
Primary or early source
Aristotle; Plotinus.
Scholarly source
Ancient philosophy of mind.
Relation to other terms
A cognitive height distinct from sense, not a translation of consciousness.