more from Thomas Aquinas

Single Idea 22107

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 1. Faculties]

Full Idea

Sensory species received in external senses are transmitted to 'internal senses', organs located in the brain. The most important of these for cognition are 'phantasia' and 'imagination' (part of phantasia), which produce and preserve 'phantasms'.

Gist of Idea

Sensations are transmitted to 'internal senses' in the brain, chiefly to 'phantasia' and 'imagination'

Source

report of Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologicae [1265]) by Kretzmann/Stump - Aquinas, Thomas 11

Book Reference

'Shorter Routledge Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Craig,Edward [Routledge 2005], p.39


A Reaction

This seems to make Aquinas a representative realist. I add this to my portfolio of philosophical faculties - those required by philosophy, rather than by psychology or neuroscience.

Related Idea

Idea 7629 We see objects 'directly' by representing them [McGinn]