Philosophy Faculty Publications

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2008

Publication Source

Elenchos

Abstract

De Anima III 5 introduces one of Aristotle’s most perplexing doctrines. In this short and obscure chapter, Aristotle distinguishes between an intellect that becomes all things, the so-called potential intellect, and an intellect that makes all things, the so-called productive intellect (430a14-15). It is generally held that the intellect that becomes all things is described in De Anima III 4, since Aristotle there tells us that the intellect knows by becoming its objects (429a15-18). This intellect has acquired the title “potential intellect” since it must be potentially the objects of thought in order to become and think the objects of thought (429a18-24). But scholars do not agree on what these intellects are, what they do or how they relate to each other. The main point of contention arises with respect to the productive intellect’s mode of existence – in particular, whether it is transcendent or immanent. This paper concerns Theophrastus’ interpretation of De Anima III 4 and 5, because those familiar with his writings tend to agree that he holds the key to resolving this 2,300-year-old debate.

Inclusive pages

61-90

ISBN/ISSN

0392-7342

Document Version

Postprint

Comments

The document available for download is the author's accepted manuscript, provided with the permission of the author. Publisher policy on self-archiving is unknown.

Publisher

Bibliopolis

Volume

29

Peer Reviewed

yes

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