Who thinks? A medieval controversy
Aquinas disputes the thesis that all human beings share numerically one possible intellect. His case joins an interpretation of Aristotle to an account of personal action.
An original introduction. This guide accompanies the work; it is neither the complete text nor a translation.
Personal thought
The theory must explain how this particular person thinks and understands. Written in 1270 amid Parisian controversies, the treatise addresses Latin positions associated with the reception of Averroes; their precise historical identification is debated.
Interpretation
Thomas argues through Aristotle’s texts rather than merely opposing philosophy to faith. Reconstruct the philosophical argument separately from the historical labels later attached to it.
Attribution
The label “Averroist” does not show that every opponent held exactly the same doctrine. Aquinas disputes the thesis that all human beings share numerically one possible intellect. His case joins an interpretation of Aristotle to an account of personal action.
Reconstruct the philosophical argument separately from the historical labels later attached to it.
Your turn to think.
- What must a theory of individual thought explain?
- How can a source be distinguished from an opponent’s interpretation?
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