The Thomistic Institute Thomas Aquinas on Intellectual Memory – Fr. Philip-Neri Reese, O.P.
Nov 3, 2025
Fr. Philip-Neri Reese, O.P., a Dominican friar and philosophy professor at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas, delves into Thomas Aquinas’s theory of intellectual memory. He navigates the conflicts among key philosophical authorities, especially Aristotle and Avicenna, discussing their differing views on memory. The conversation explores how Aquinas defends the preservation of intelligible species and differentiates between sensitive and intellective memory, ultimately favoring Augustine's broad definitions over Avicenna's. A fascinating journey into the intricacies of philosophical thought!
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Problem As Conflict Of Authorities
- Aquinas frames the intellectual-memory problem as a conflict of authorities between Aristotle/Avicenna and Augustine.
- He treats authorities as influences to be taken seriously, not blindly followed.
Aristotle’s Memory vs. Recollection
- Aristotle distinguishes memory (shared with animals) from recollection (distinctly human).
- For Aristotle, intellectual things are only "memorable" by courtesy, not truly remembered in the intellect.
Augustine’s Inward vs Outward Memory
- Augustine distinguishes outward (sensory) memory from inward, non-temporal memory of the mind.
- Augustine’s inward memory supports the idea of intellectual memory indifferent to past/present/future.
