Contemplation, Intellectus, and Simplex Intuitus in Aquinas: Recovering a Neoplatonic Theme

Van Nieuwenhove, Rik

doi:10.5840/acpq2017227108

Contemplation, Intellectus, and Simplex Intuitus in Aquinas: Recovering a Neoplatonic Theme

Van Nieuwenhove, Rik

Authors

Professor Rik Van Nieuwenhove rik.van-nieuwenhove@durham.ac.uk
Professor

Abstract

This contribution examines two related points in relation to Aquinas’s understanding of contemplation, which is a sorely neglected topic in scholarship. First, after having outlined that the final act of contemplation culminates in an intellective, simple apprehension of the truth, I will examine how this act relates to the three operations of the intellect (grasping of quiddity, judgement, and reasoning) Aquinas identifies in a number of places. Second, I argue that his view of contemplation as simple insight is significantly indebted to Neoplatonic sources; therefore, we must pay attention to the way he introduces Neoplatonic elements into his Aristotelian framework. I conclude this contribution by suggesting some reasons—of a theological nature—why Aquinas would have been drawn towards a non-discursive or “intuitive” notion of contemplation.

Citation

Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2017). Contemplation, Intellectus, and Simplex Intuitus in Aquinas: Recovering a Neoplatonic Theme. American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly, 91(2), 199-225. https://doi.org/10.5840/acpq2017227108

Journal Article Type	Article
Online Publication Date	Apr 1, 2017
Publication Date	Apr 1, 2017
Deposit Date	Sep 4, 2017
Publicly Available Date	Sep 5, 2017
Journal	American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly
Print ISSN	1051-3558
Electronic ISSN	2153-8441
Publisher	American Catholic Philosophical Association
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	91
Issue	2
Pages	199-225
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5840/acpq2017227108