Aristotle on Phantasia

Abstract

This text will argue that Aristotelian phantasia does not form a full capacity in the psyche and, instead, by drawing on its causal origins in perception, acts as an activity serving in the role of helpmate to capacities and other activities. Despite its seemingly simple role in providing representations in the psyche, phantasia proves a rich concept which Aristotle uses to explore many phenomena, such as dreaming, movement and action, and memory. Its position between perception and thought and its role in allowing universals to begin gaining entry into the psyche not only allows it to participate in various psychic activities but also proves of importance in Aristotle's philosophy in a larger sense. Indeed, this text will suggest that phantasia plays an important role in linking the perceivable and the thinkable in the Aristotelian psyche.