The Active Intellect of Averroes

Abstract

Averroes (1126–98) developed a concept of what can be called “unconscious thought” in the theory of active intellect in the philosophy of intellect, commenting on the De anima of Aristotle. Union with the active intellect, the final entelechy, is the highest bliss in life. The suggestion of unconscious thought in Averroes’ philosophy of intellect, was pointed out by Franz Brentano. Perhaps this was discussed in a seminar taught by Brentano and attended by Sigmund Freud at the University of Vienna. The active intellect of Averroes can be seen as a form of unconscious thought. This essay will present an interpretation of the philosophy of intellect of Averroes in the Long Commentary on the De anima: by examining how Averroes expands on Aristotle’s De anima; by evaluating the commentaries on Averroes by F. Brentano (1838–1917), P. Merlan (1897–1968), H. A. Davidson and R. C. Taylor; by suggesting precedents for the thought of Averroes in the Enneads of Plotinus (204–70); and by suggesting the possible influence of Averroes on the Scholastic and peripatetic philosopher Robert Grosseteste (1168–1253) (Hendrix, 2010).