Brentanian Inner Consciousness and the Infinite Regress Problem. (21st July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marchesi, Andrea
• Is Part Of: Dialectica. Volume 73:Fascicule 1/2(2019)
• Page Start: 129
• Page End: 147
• Publication Date: 2019-07-21
• Subjects: Psychology -- Periodicals; Dialectic -- Periodicals; 105
• DOI: 10.1111/1746-8361.12261
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0012-2017

Abstract

Abstract: By "Brentanian inner consciousness" I mean the conception of inner consciousness developed by Franz Brentano. The aim of this paper is threefold: first, to present Brentano's account of inner consciousness; second, to discuss this account in light of the mereology outlined by Brentano himself; and third, to decide whether this account incurs an infinite regress. In this regard, I distinguish two kinds of infinite regress: external infinite regress and internal infinite regress. I contend that the most plausible reading of Brentano's account is the so‐called fusion thesis, and I argue that internal infinite regress turns out to be inherent to Brentanian inner consciousness.