Aristotle on the Common Sense

by Pavel Gregoric

Overview

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 and 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199277377
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	08/02/2007
Series:	Oxford Aristotle Studies Series
Pages:	268
Product dimensions:	8.72(w) x 5.80(h) x 0.81(d)

About the Author

Paul Gregoric is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb.

Table of Contents

PrefaceAbbreviationsIntroductionPart I: The Framework1. Aristotle's project and method2. The perceptual capacity of the soul3. The sensory apparatus4. The common sense and the related capacitiesPart II: The Terminology1. Overlooked occurrences of the phrase 'common sense'2. De Anima III.1 425a273. De Partibus Animalium IV.10 686a314. De Memoria et Reminiscentia 1 450a105. De Anima III.7 431b56. Conclusions on the terminologyPart III: Functions of the common sense1. Simultaneous perception and perceptual binding2. Perceptual discrimination3. Waking, sleep, and control of the senses4. Perceiving that we see and hear, and monitoring of the senses5. Other roles of the common senseConclusionAppendixBibliographyGeneral IndexIndex of Passages

Editorial Reviews

"Aristotle on the Common Sense is a learned, lucidly written, and compellingly argued treatment of its subject, one that surveys and helpfully synthesizes the immense ancient and modern literature on the topic. It also proposes some novel solutions to a number of long-standing textual and interpretive problems.... Aristotle on the Common Sense is a painstakingly researched and carefully argued work. Students should begin their work on this issue here and experts should attend to it, as an undeniably original and important contribution to the scholarly conversation on this subject."—Sean D. Kirkland, Ancient Philosophy

From the Publisher