Is a Thomistic Teory of Intentionality Consistent with Physicalism?

I argue that a Thomistic theory of intentionality is both philosophically plausible and inconsistent with physicalism. I begin by distinguishing two types of intentionality and two senses in which something can be said to be non-physical. After sketching the relevant background hylomorphic philosoph...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American catholic philosophical quarterly
Main Author: Madden, James D. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Philosophy Documentation Center [2017]
In: American catholic philosophical quarterly
Further subjects:B KING, Peter
B Logical Positivism
B Intentionality (Philosophy)
B PASNAU, Robert
B Naturalistic Fallacy
Online Access: Volltext (doi)
Description
Summary:I argue that a Thomistic theory of intentionality is both philosophically plausible and inconsistent with physicalism. I begin by distinguishing two types of intentionality and two senses in which something can be said to be non-physical. After sketching the relevant background hylomorphic philosophy of nature, I develop a Tomistic theory of intentionality that supports a certain kind of anti-physicalism. I then consider criticisms of the Tomistic theory of intentionality raised by Peter King and Robert Pasnau. In reply I argue that (a) King's position would have the Scholastics adopt an approach to intentionality that fails to solve the very problem such a theory is supposed to address; and (b) contrary to Pasnau's objection, there are ample resources available to show that the Tomist does not commit a content fallacy.
ISSN:2153-8441
Contains:Enthalten in: American catholic philosophical quarterly
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.5840/acpq20161212104