Lecture 2: First Act of the Mind: Simple Apprehension — Logic 4 2 First Act of the Mind: Simple Apprehension 2.1 Nature of Simple Apprehension ‘Simple Apprehension is the operation by which we grasp the meaning of @ term. For example, you hear the word triangle, which means a three-sided figure, and that you advert to its meaning. The ‘operation which your mind performs is none but simple apprehension. With reference to terms, Simple Apprehension is a mental operation by which we mentally rasp a thing, making it present in and to our mind, but without affirming or denying anything about it. 2.2 Objects of Simple Apprehension 2.2.1 Material Object ~ the whole thing that is known by Simple Apprehension. — Includes not only what we know about the:thing grasped, but also all else ‘that is knowable in the thing. 2.2.2 Formal Object ~ the essence or quiddity (whatness) of things. the intellectual grasping of what a thing is. 2.3 The Meaning of Concept or Idea A.Concept or idea is the mental expression of an essence (quiddity) of a thing. itis the product that Simple Apprehension produces within the mind asa means of knowing the essence of athing. ~ Ideas are the building stones of knowledge. Man makes a judgment, and a judgment either expresses a truth or an error. Ideas are the elements that constitute whatever judgment that can be formed in our mind, and hence, the foundation of knowledge, 2.4 The Process of Ideogenesis “Nothing comes into the mind without passing through the senses.” Aristotle Man's first contact with the reality around him is through the senses (the windows of his being). ‘Thus when (s)he sees (sense of sight), hears (sense of hearing), smelis (sense of smell), feels (sense of touch), and tastes (sense of taste}—like for instance—a red, smooth, and sweet apple, ideas are formed in his mind as such, for the senses faithfully mirror each object one comes in contact with. The image or representation of a thing (reality) formed in our mind Is called Sense image, more commonly known as Phantasm. Phantasm serves as the first step towards the formation of ideas. Phantasm always provides all the sensible differences one finds in things around us; hence, itis particular, concrete, and bears with. accidental elements.Lecture 2: First Act of the Mind: Simple Apprehension ~Logic 5 But the intellect (mind), the seat of idea, is something immaterial and phantasm or sense image Js something material. Phantasm therefore Is not proportionate to the immaterial intellect. To become actually intelligible, the Phantasm has to be dematerialized, stripped of its material conditions (its accidents such as shape, size, and color). This is the action of the intellect, and itis called Abstraction. The dematerialized phantasm now becomes inteligible to the immaterial intellect. The intellect now expresses in itself an image derived from the dematerialized phantasm called the Concept or the Idea This whole process is known as Ideagenesis - the mental operation by which ideas are abstracted from an Image, which in turn, Is acquired by sensation of the things in reality. ‘After Phantasm and the Idea have been formed, they are passed into a mental storage called Memory. Once in the memory, the idea stays permanently. This Is the reason why we have recollections of things we know previously, for every idea that we have leaves an imprint in our mind. ‘Sensible Order Intelligible Order rains —] Abstracted IDEA or Memor (Reality) Percept Phantasm Nature, (CONCEPT my product of madeupot —demateriaized made up of sored ideas fensation accidental phantasm the essence uals of of a thing = sight ating + smal + hearing tase + touch 2.5 Properties of Idea or Term 2.5.1. Comprehension — is the sum total of the intelligible elements of the quiddity (whatness) signified by the term or concept. ‘These intelligible elements are referred to as notes, which include basic elements that a thing has, and whatever is deducible from the basic elements. eg. ‘Man has the following comprehension: Rational, sentient, animate, corporeal, substance The following are those deducible from mani Capable of speech, social being, rsible, toot-using, etc. They add nothing fo the comprehension of man but merely expresses what isin it implicitly and deducible from It. It is not subjective but objective.Lecture 2: First Act of the Mind: Simple Apprehension Logic 6 2.5.2. Extension ~ includes the subject signified by the term. 2.5.2.1 Absolute Extension ~ the sum total of the subjects of the actual subjects as well as possible subjects — whose quiddity is signified by a term or concept. 2.5.2.2 Functional Extension ~ includes only those subjects that are actually set before the mind ‘When s used In discourse. tt may be: a. Universal if it sets before the mind each of the subject whose nature it signifies. eg. ‘every man b, Particular ~ if it sets before the mind an indeterminate designated portion of its total Possible extension. eg. some inen Singular -if i sets before the mind one that is designated to the individual or group. eg. best man ‘The inverse proportion between Comprehension and Extension: The greater the comprehension of a ‘term or concept, the less its absolute extension, and vice-versa. EXTENSION. Substance ‘Angel Mineral Plant Body Corporeal substance Mineral Plant Brute Man Organism Animate corporeal substance Plant Brute Mani Animal Sentient animate corporeal substance i Man Rational sentient animate corporeal substance ‘COMPREHENSION