From Psychology to Phenomenology Franz Brentano's 'Psychology from an Empirical Standpoint' and Contemporary Philosophy of Mind

by Tassone, Biagio G.

• ISBN13: 9781137029218
• ISBN10: 1137029218
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-12-15
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Summary

In 1874 a controversial ex-Catholic priest published a book that would change the course of contemporary psychology and philosophy. Franz Brentano, a German professor of philosophy, would go on to teach students as important and diverse as Edmund Husserl, Sigmund Freud, and Rudolf Steiner. Brentano'sPsychology from an Empirical Standpoint, would go on to make a mark in the history of philosophy for its reintroduction of the doctrine of intentionality in philosophy of mind and its ambitious attempt to establish psychology as an autonomous science. Brentano's Psychology explored important aspects of the mind and mental life such as the nature of consciousness and mental representation. In subsequent years the course of modern philosophy and modern psychology would change dramatically and Brentano's approach would be left as an important source more referenced in passing than paid serious attention. Biagio Tassone's studyFrom Psychology to Phenomenologyoffers an in depth exploration of Brentano's seminal work as an example of a still relevant approach to philosophy of mind.

Author Biography

BIAGIO G. TASSONE is Lecturer at the George Washington University, USA.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
List of Abbreviations
Introduction
PART I
Brentano's Intellectual Background
Brentano's Aristotelianism and Early Writings on Aristotle
PART II
Psychology as a Science
'Intentional Inexistence' and the Separation of 'Psychic' From 'Physical' Phenomena
Psychic Acts Further Explored: The Unity of Consciousness and Brentano's Classification of Mental Acts
Brentano's Theory of Judgement and the Connection of Feelings and Acts of Will
PART III
From Psychology to Phenomenology: Brentano and Contemporary Philosophy of Mind
The Intentional Dynamic and Phenomenology: The Relevance of Brentano's Epistemology and Philosophy of Mind
Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index