On intentionality and life, or why philosophers and psychologists should not abandon the historical roots of their sciences

Abstract

The conversation between Dmitry Shmonin, Editor-in-Chief of the journal “Problems of Theology,” and Galina Vdovina, D. Sci. in Philosophy, Leading Fellow at the Institute of Philosophy of the Russian Academy of Sciences, is devoted to her new monograph, which was published in 2019. The book deals with the treatises “On the soul,” created in the framework of Catholic post-medieval scholasticism of the 17th and first half of the 18th centuries. Compared to Aristotle’s science of the soul and medieval commentaries on Aristotle’s treatise, scientia de anima underwent profound changes. Firstly, its subject changes, including now the divine being. Secondly, the concept of architectonics of the soul is fundamentally changing, where the main bearing pillar becomes the concept of two modes of life, the intentional and physical ones. Thirdly, the intentional mechanisms of sensual and intellectual cognition are developed in a very sophisticated way, including structures and functions of cognitive and willful acts, sensual and intellectual memory, habitus, intentional object, etc. Particular attention is paid to the relevance of the study of post-medieval scholasticism today, its proximity to phenomenological philosophy, philosophy of objects, and philosophy of consciousness. The conversation asserts the thesis about the high prospects of studying Christian theological heritage for modern humanitarian knowledge.