The distinction between content and object in K. Twardowski's work *Zur Lehre vom Inhalt und Gegenstand der Vorstellungen*
Jesuino Pires
This book aims to investigate the distinction between the content and the object of representation as presented by Kasimir Twardowski in his treatise *Zur Lehre vom Inhalt und Gegenstand der Vorstellungen*. Our object of study is Twardowski’s distinction between content and object viewed against the backdrop of the theories of Brentano and Höfler. This research is bibliographical in nature, and the procedures employed are directed toward the reconstruction, analysis, and critical reflection regarding the topic. We argue that the specific characteristics of Twardowski’s distinction can be highlighted in three ways: first, through his conception of content as a mediating instance between the act and the object of representation; second, because this distinction has a linguistic counterpart based on the functions of the name; and third, through the different logical functions performed by the adjective "the represented."
The Unity of Consciousness in Franz Brentano's Empirical Psychology
Gabriel Lemes Duarte
The book that the reader now holds—*Unity of Consciousness in Franz Brentano’s Psychology from an Empirical Standpoint* by Gabriel Lemes Duarte—was published as a volume in the "Dissertations and Theses" collection of the "Ethics, Politics, and Citizenship" Research Group (UNICENTRO/CNPq). This distinction was earned not only because it is an excellent master's thesis, but above all because it is the result of rigorous and meticulous academic inquiry into the problem of the unity of consciousness in Franz Brentano’s first major work. In this book, the author analyzes the modern historical-philosophical context of the problem of consciousness by drawing a comparison between the Brentanian and Lockean concepts of the unity of consciousness—a unity grounded in internal perception, without recourse to any transcendental principle as a condition for that unity.
The Thought of Wilhelm Dilthey
Jonas Madureira
Wilhelm Dilthey was not only one of the great renewers of Schleiermacherian hermeneutics but also a central figure in the philosophy of the human sciences. Considered the founder of modern historicism, Dilthey made a decisive contribution to the methodology of the so-called "human sciences" (*Geisteswissenschaften*) by challenging the dominance of positivism over social, historical, and psychological disciplines.
As the creator of a new methodological paradigm, Dilthey proposed a fundamental distinction between the natural sciences—guided by causal explanation (*Erklären*)—and the human sciences, which are oriented toward understanding (*Verstehen*). For him, hermeneutics was the preeminent method of human inquiry, as it took into account the lived meaning of actions, texts, and institutions—a meaning that can only be grasped within its historical context.
His work aimed to understand the nature of human experience and the structure of mental life. Drawing on the concept of *Erlebnis* (lived experience), he developed a philosophy of life in which existence is conceived as a continuous, historically situated flow of experiences, thereby requiring an interpretive and contextual approach.
This book offers a clear and accessible introduction to the key aspects of Dilthey’s thought. Intended for students of philosophy, history, sociology, psychology, and related fields, it also addresses readers interested in the formation of modern ideas regarding culture, history, and subjectivity. Combining historical scholarship with conceptual rigor, Dilthey exerted a significant influence on philosophical hermeneutics, phenomenology, interpretive psychology, and the philosophy of history.
Hermeneutical Empiricism: Beyond Philosophy, starting from its problems.
Mario Ariel González Porta
In this work, the author places the idea of "hermeneutic rationality" in the foreground, continuing and deepening something already outlined in his previous book, entitled *Philosophy from its Problems* (Loyola, 2003). The various ways of accessing and engaging with the history of philosophy ultimately presuppose a theory of rationality. In this work, he proposes a way of approaching this history that can be understood as hermeneutic empiricism and that results from a finite conception of rationality. This approach is contrasted with a priori hermeneutical procedures that refer to the idea of infinite and absolute rationality.
The thought of Gottlob Frege
Marco Ruffino
Gottlob Frege was not only the greatest innovator of logic since Aristotle, but also one of the greatest philosophers of mathematics of all time, along with Plato and Kant. He was also the originator of a completely new paradigm in the philosophy of language, as well as the greatest figure of contemporary Platonism. This book is an introduction to these various aspects of his thought. It was primarily intended for undergraduate students in philosophy and related fields such as mathematics, linguistics, and psychology. But the book also aims to be easily accessible to readers who are simply curious about the thought of great philosophers. Frege combined profound originality with strong analytical rigor, and has had and continues to have an enormous influence on various areas of contemporary philosophy. The book seeks to explain the original elements of his thought in simple terms, minimizing technical details in order to make reading lighter and more enjoyable. In the final chapter, the book draws attention to a previously little-noticed aspect of Frege's thought: the fact that he was a precursor to the contemporary theory of speech acts, as well as his pioneering description of the linguistic mechanisms that govern communication, anticipating what would be rediscovered almost a century later by so-called contemporary pragmatics.
The idea of philosophy as primordial science: the problem of the theoretical attitude according to Heidegger
Sérgio Minehira
The aim of this study is to elucidate the first step of the hermeneutic turn in Heideggerian phenomenology. To this end, Heidegger analyzes the critical-teleological method of the Baden Neo-Kantian school, Paul Natorp’s reconstructive method, and the descriptive-reflective method of Husserlian phenomenology. These three currents are highly significant for the author, as their methodologies tend to conceive of a single principle from which everything else is subsequently derived. Heidegger’s critiques target the theoretical attitude naively presupposed by these three philosophical currents. Conversely, he argues that by radically adopting the Husserlian phenomenological principle, we can arrive at a method suitable for opening up the sphere of philosophy as an originary, pre-theoretical science. This project of originary science spans nearly a decade and culminates in *Being and Time*.
Forgotten Streams in the History of 19th-Century German Psychology - Volume 1: Empirical, Romantic, and Idealist Psychologies
Carlos Cornejo, Cristián Hernández Maturana
The 19th century was a defining era for psychology, rich with an intellectual diversity that shaped modern thought but which remains largely overlooked. The roots of 20th century thought can be traced to the 19th century, when a mechanical worldview took hold, society grew increasingly secular, modern urban metropolises emerged, and evolutionist ideas reshaped the understanding of nature’s developmental principles. Throughout this century, the natural sciences extended beyond their traditional limits, influencing and reshaping the human, moral, and social sciences, among which psychology was especially impacted, as this transformation sparked profound debates on the very possibility of a science of the soul.
Forgotten Streams in the History of 19th-Century German Psychology recovers the vibrant roots of psychology in empiricism, romanticism, idealism, phenomenology, among other streams of thought that explored consciousness, the soul, and the self before experimental psychology took center stage. Unlike the standard view, this book invites readers to reconsider psychology’s history, revealing a complex landscape that questions the simplistic story of a linear path toward empiricism. Through profiles of significant yet forgotten thinkers, this work uncovers how their ideas contributed to discussions of the unconscious, mind-body duality, and inner experience.
Written by leading scholars, each chapter offers a unique window into an intellectual movement that continues to influence debates in psychology, philosophy, and beyond. Essential for historians, psychologists, and anyone curious about psychology’s deeper origins, Forgotten Streams is an indispensable reference that fills an important gap, enriching our understanding of psychology’s complex and multifaceted development.
New considerations on the relationship between psychology and philosophy: Studies on the dispute over psychologism (Psychologismusstreit)"
Mario Ariel González Porta
The book deals with the central confrontation between the phenomenological project and psychologism in the genesis of phenomenology. In an attentive and historically rich manner, Mário Porta reconstructs the various aspects of this conflict and shows what phenomenology brings to the table in terms of a solution to this problem.
Franz Brentano's philosophy: themes and research perspectives: Philosopher of power (Rationality, Intentionality and Semantics)
Evandro O. Brito
This is not an introductory book on the philosophy of Franz Brentano in the conventional sense. Although the aim is to introduce the reader to the fundamental concepts of Brentano's thought, the purpose of this book is to indicate a range of themes and perspectives for research into the philosopher's thought. By collecting six articles published in high-impact Brazilian academic journals, we intend to outline some of the possible paths that young researchers interested in Brentano's perspective of research into the following themes can follow: history of philosophy, aesthetics, psychologism, education, philosophy of mind, and war. In the hope that our analyses may contribute in some way to broadening the horizons of young researchers interested in Brentano's philosophy, we wish you a pleasant reading.