De Anima

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Aristoteles' De Anima ist einer der zentralen Texte der Philosophiegeschichte. Seine grundlegende Leistung liegt in der alle Lebewesen umfassenden ontologisch-ontischen Bestimmung der Seele und ihrer Vermögen, einschließlich der Lehre vom Geist (nous), deren nähere Explikation seit der Antike Anlaß zu vielfältigen Diskussionen gab. Die vorliegende Studie ermittelt unter Rückgriff auf die traditionellen Schulen des Alexandrismus, Neuplatonismus, Averroismus und Thomismus diejenigen mannigfaltigen philosophischen und theologischen Konstellationen des 16. und 17. Jh.s, die von innerkatholischen wie interkonfessionellen Auseinandersetzungen zwischen Katholiken, Lutheranern und Calvinisten geprägt waren. Unter diesem Gesichtspunkt werden die entsprechenden Werke der Reformatoren Luther und Melanchthon, der Renaissance-Aristoteliker Portio, Toletus, Zabarella und die Conimbrincenser sowie die hier erstmals berücksichtigten Schriften der lutherischen und calvinistischen Schulphilosophen des 17. Jh.s. interpretiert. Aristotle's On the soul is one of the most important books in the history of philosophy. Its fundamental achievement is based on the ontological-ontical definition of the soul and its virtues, which embrace all living beings, including the doctrine of the mind (nous), and whose further explication has been interpreted controversially since antiquity. With respect to the traditional schools of Alexandrism, Neoplatonism, Averroism and Thomism the present study studies the various philosophical and theological constellations of the 16th and 17th century, which were determined by the intracatholical as well as by the interdenominational controversies between the Catholics, Lutherans and Calvinists. From this point of view the works of Luther and Melanchthon, of the Renaissance-Aristotelians Portio, Toletus, Zabarella, and the Conimbricenses as well as the works of the Lutheran and Calvinistic Philosophers of the 17th century are interpreted, these last ones being taken into consideration here for the first time. Then follow interpretations of some of the main philosophical concepts of Aristotle's De Anima in the 16th and 17th century, namely the Protestant Aristotelianism of Luther (1483–1546) and Melanchthon (1497–1560), the 'Second Scholastic' of the Jesuits Toletus (1532–1596) and Emmanul de Goes, the Natural Philosophy of Portio (1496–1554) and Zabarella (1533–1589) and at least the New Protestant Aristotelianism of Martini (1570-1649), Evenius (1585/9–1639), Scheibler (1589–1653), Leuschner (1589–1641) and Dannhauer (1603–1666) at the Lutheran Universities in Germany in the early 17th century.

📖 Summary

Sascha Salatowsky's comprehensive study examines the profound legacy and historical reception of Aristotle's De Anima, one of the most foundational and enduring texts in the history of philosophy. At the heart of Aristotle's original work lies a groundbreaking endeavor to establish an ontological and ontic definition of the soul and its varied faculties, encompassing all living organisms. Within this framework, Aristotle's specific doctrine regarding the intellect or nous has historically generated intense debate, interpretation, and controversy extending from antiquity deep into the modern era. Salatowsky takes this rich intellectual heritage as his starting point to investigate how these ancient and medieval ideas were continuously reinterpreted, contested, and adapted during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The study meticulously navigates through the diverse traditional philosophical and theological schools that shaped early modern thought, including Alexandrianism, Neoplatonism, Averroism, and Thomism. By engaging with these complex traditions, the book illuminates the intricate web of philosophical and theological constellations that defined the period. These intellectual currents were deeply influenced by volatile internal Catholic controversies as well as sharp interconfessional disputes dividing Catholics, Lutherans, and Calvinists. Salatowsky carefully contextualizes these debates by examining the specific works and reactions of major religious reformers such as Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon, demonstrating how psychological and anthropological theories of the soul were intimately tied to broader theological dogmas and confessional struggles. Spanning 424 pages, this rigorous academic text offers a deep dive into the history of ideas, language arts, and disciplinary shifts in philosophy and theology. It bridges the gap between classical Aristotelianism and early modern scholasticism, providing readers with a nuanced understanding of how past thinkers grappled with the nature of life, consciousness, mind, and spirit amidst a shifting cultural and religious landscape. Ultimately, the book serves as an indispensable resource for understanding the historical trajectory of philosophy of mind and the intricate ways in which canonical texts continue to generate diverse and conflicting interpretations across different historical epochs.

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