Brentano and the Medieval Distinction Between First and Second Intentions

Abstract Brentano’s account of intentionality has often been traced back to its scholastic sources. This is justified by his claim that objects thought have a specific mode being—namely, “intentional inexistence” ( intentionale Inexistenz )—and mental acts an relation” Beziehung ) these objects. These technical terms in Brentano do indeed recall the medieval notions esse , which being, and intentio “tending towards” tendere acts. However, within lexical family there another distinction plays important role philosophy—namely, between first second intentions prima secunda ), are, roughly speaking, concepts things respectively. What less well-known explicitly borrowed this as well, used it intentionality. paper explores little-known chapter scholastic-Austrian history evaluating both historical accuracy philosophical significance borrowing intentions.