From Aristotle to Brentano: the development of the concept Of intentionality

Abstract

Abstract A1ustotle ‘s On the Soul or De anima is probably the most variously interpreted of his works. Modern interpretations have disagreed chiefly on how Aristotle’s psychology stands in relation to Descartes.1 The ancient Neoplatonist commentators, in order to harmonize him with Plato, insisted on his belief in the immortality of the rational soul, and thereby unwittingly made Aristotle safe for Christianity. In this paper I want to take Aristotle’s theory of sense-perception and show how there too the ancient commentators started the process of reinterpretation, and handed it on to the Middle Ages. I hope that Tony Lloyd will consider this a suitable theme with which to honour him, since he has led the way in showing that professional philosophers need not and should not leave all the work to others in studying the philosophy of late antiquity.

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