Aristotle on the Common SenseClarendon Press, 14 jun 2007 - 252 pagina's Apart from using our eyes to see and our ears to hear, we regularly and effortlessly perform a number of complex perceptual operations that cannot be explained in terms of the five senses taken individually. Such operations include, for example, perceiving that the same object is white and sweet, noticing the difference between white and sweet, or knowing that one's senses are active. Observing that lower animals must be able to perform such operations, and being unprepared to ascribe any share in rationality to them, Aristotle explained such operations with reference to a higher-order perceptual capacity which unites and monitors the five senses. This capacity is known as the 'common sense' or sensus communis. Unfortunately, Aristotle provides only scattered and opaque references to this capacity. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that the exact nature and functions of this capacity have been a matter of perennial controversy. Pavel Gregoric offers an extensive and compelling treatment of the Aristotelian conception of the common sense, which has become part and parcel of Western psychological theories from antiquity through to the Middle Ages, and well into the early modern period. Aristotle on the Common Sense begins with an introduction to Aristotle's theory of perception and sets up a conceptual framework for the interpretation of textual evidence. In addition to analysing those passages which make explicit mention of the common sense, and drawing out the implications for Aristotle's terminology, Gregoric provides a detailed examination of each function of this Aristotelian faculty. |
Inhoudsopgave
Introduction | 1 |
I THE FRAMEWORK | 17 |
II THE TERMINOLOGY | 63 |
III FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMON SENSE | 127 |
Conclusion | 202 |
Greek Texts | 215 |
Bibliography | 224 |
241 | |
249 | |
Overige edities - Alles bekijken
Veelvoorkomende woorden en zinsdelen
ability accompanies according act of perception activity actually affected animals argued argument Aristotle Aristotle’s aspects assume awareness belong blood body boundary called chapter cognitive capacity colour common perceptibles complex conceptually connected difficulties discrimination discussion distinct divided example explain fact five follows function grasp hand hear heart hence heterogeneous perceptibles homogeneous perceptibles human idea images imagination inactivity individual senses instance interpretation involves kind living magnitude matter means memory namely nature necessary notion objects occur particular passage perceive perceptual capacity perceptual power phrase common sense Plato possible present problem processes qualities question rational reason receive reference requires role Ross seems seen sense organ sensitivity sensory capacity sight simultaneous perception single sleep sort soul speaking special perceptibles suggested suppose sweet theory thing thinking capacity thought touch understand unity waking whereas αἴσθησις