Concept
Active intellect
Overview
In medieval philosophy, the active intellect (Latin: intellectus agens; also translated as agent intellect, active intelligence, active reason, or productive intellect) is the formal (morphe) aspect of the intellect (nous), according to the Aristotelian theory of hylomorphism. The nature of the active intellect was a major theme of late classical and medieval philosophy. Various thinkers sought to reconcile their commitment to Aristotle's account of the body and soul to their own theological commitments. At stake in particular was in what way Aristotle's account of an incorporeal soul might contribute to understanding of deity and creation.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
In the original texts
Passages from public-domain books where Active intellect is discussed.
FOURTH ARTICLE [I, Q. 79, Art. 4] Whether the Active Intellect Is Something in the Soul? Objection 1: It would seem that the active intellect is not something in the soul. For the effect of the active intellect is to give light for the purpose of understanding. But this is done by something higher than the soul: according to John 1:9, "He was the true light that enlighteneth every man coming into this world."…
Aquinas Thomas, Summa Theologica, Part I
names the idea; states what it is; author linked in the graph; opens on it
According to Aristotle and his school, the Active Intellect, an incorporeal being, acts at one time and does not act at another, as has been shown by Abu-nasr in his treatise on the Intellect. He says there quite correctly as follows: “It is an evident fact that the Active Intellect does not act continually, but only at times.” And yet he does not say that the Active Intellect is changeable, or passes from a…
Moses Maimonides, The guide for the perplexed
states what it is; names the idea; opens on it
And the reasoning (speaking) soul, if it engages itself upon the sciences, its activity is called mind or intellect, and it is accordingly called speculative or theoretical mind: which I have already described. And if it engages itself upon overcoming blameworthy powers, that entice unto wrongdoing through their excess, unto folly through their abandonment, unto impetuosity through their agitation, unto cowardice…
Avicenna, A Compendium on the Soul
states what it is; author linked in the graph
For a time this dualism operated as a convenient division of labor. Intelligence, freed from responsibility for and preoccupation with supernatural truths, could occupy itself the more fully and efficiently with the world that now is; while the affections, charged with the values evoked in the medieval discipline, entered into the present enjoyment of the delectations previously reserved for the saints. Directness…
John Dewey, The Influence of Darwin on Philosophy, and other essays in contemporary thought
Thus, to pass from sensation to thought, the soul traverses a medium position, in which sensibility and reason are at the same time active, and thus they mutually destroy their determinant power, and by their antagonism produce a negation. This medium situation in which the soul is neither physically nor morally constrained, and yet is in both ways active, merits essentially the name of a free situation; and if we…
Michel de Montaigne, Literary and Philosophical Essays
Philosophers who discussed Active intellect
Related ideas
- The Guide for the Perplexed
- Avicenna
- Alexander of Aphrodisias
- On the Soul
- Al-Farabi
- Immortality
- Latin
- Substantial form
- Maimonides
- Siger of Brabant
- Thomas Aquinas
- Pietro Pomponazzi
- Metaphysics (Aristotle)
- Medieval philosophy
- Soul
- Summa Theologica
- Aristotle
- Aristotelianism
- Unmoved mover
- Nous
- Gregory of Nyssa
- Celestial spheres
- Reason
- Deity
Opposing perspectives
Place in the tradition
Part of Empiricism.