Aquinas's Theory of Perception

An Analytic Reconstruction

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Medieval, Health & Well Being, Psychology
Cover of the book Aquinas's Theory of Perception by Anthony J. Lisska, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Anthony J. Lisska ISBN: 9780191083679
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: June 9, 2016
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Anthony J. Lisska
ISBN: 9780191083679
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: June 9, 2016
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

Anthony J. Lisska presents a new analysis of Thomas Aquinas's theory of perception. While much work has been undertaken on Aquinas's texts, little has been devoted principally to his theory of perception and less still on a discussion of inner sense. The thesis of intentionality serves as the philosophical backdrop of this analysis while incorporating insights from Brentano and from recent scholarship. The principal thrust is on the importance of inner sense, a much-overlooked area of Aquinas's philosophy of mind, with special reference to the vis cogitativa. Approaching the texts of Aquinas from contemporary analytic philosophy, Lisska suggests a modest 'innate' or 'structured' interpretation for the role of this inner sense faculty. Dorothea Frede suggests that this faculty is an 'embarrassment' for Aquinas; to the contrary, the analysis offered in this book argues that were it not for the vis cogitativa, Aquinas's philosophy of mind would be an embarrassment. By means of this faculty of inner sense, Aquinas offers an account of a direct awareness of individuals of natural kinds—referred to by Aquinas as incidental objects of sense—which comprise the principal ontological categories in Aquinas's metaphysics. By using this awareness of individuals of a natural kind, Aquinas can make better sense out of the process of abstraction using the active intellect (intellectus agens). Were it not for the vis cogitativa, Aquinas would be unable to account for an awareness of the principal ontological category in his metaphysics.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Anthony J. Lisska presents a new analysis of Thomas Aquinas's theory of perception. While much work has been undertaken on Aquinas's texts, little has been devoted principally to his theory of perception and less still on a discussion of inner sense. The thesis of intentionality serves as the philosophical backdrop of this analysis while incorporating insights from Brentano and from recent scholarship. The principal thrust is on the importance of inner sense, a much-overlooked area of Aquinas's philosophy of mind, with special reference to the vis cogitativa. Approaching the texts of Aquinas from contemporary analytic philosophy, Lisska suggests a modest 'innate' or 'structured' interpretation for the role of this inner sense faculty. Dorothea Frede suggests that this faculty is an 'embarrassment' for Aquinas; to the contrary, the analysis offered in this book argues that were it not for the vis cogitativa, Aquinas's philosophy of mind would be an embarrassment. By means of this faculty of inner sense, Aquinas offers an account of a direct awareness of individuals of natural kinds—referred to by Aquinas as incidental objects of sense—which comprise the principal ontological categories in Aquinas's metaphysics. By using this awareness of individuals of a natural kind, Aquinas can make better sense out of the process of abstraction using the active intellect (intellectus agens). Were it not for the vis cogitativa, Aquinas would be unable to account for an awareness of the principal ontological category in his metaphysics.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book Evolution of the Cerebellar Sense of Self by Anthony J. Lisska
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of State and Local Government by Anthony J. Lisska
Cover of the book A Grain of Faith by Anthony J. Lisska
Cover of the book EU Mediation Law and Practice by Anthony J. Lisska
Cover of the book Aristotle in Aquinas's Theology by Anthony J. Lisska
Cover of the book Deals and Development by Anthony J. Lisska
Cover of the book Coleridge and Contemplation by Anthony J. Lisska
Cover of the book How to Cut a Cake: And other mathematical conundrums by Anthony J. Lisska
Cover of the book Systemic Risk, Institutional Design, and the Regulation of Financial Markets by Anthony J. Lisska
Cover of the book A Moral Theory of Solidarity by Anthony J. Lisska
Cover of the book Einstein's Physics by Anthony J. Lisska
Cover of the book Public Order: Law and Practice by Anthony J. Lisska
Cover of the book The Brontës (Authors in Context) by Anthony J. Lisska
Cover of the book La Débâcle by Anthony J. Lisska
Cover of the book Perceptual Ephemera by Anthony J. Lisska
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy