5 - Cognitive Powers

Summary

This chapter turns to consider John of La Rochelle’s earliest work on the soul, his Tractatus, which does not treat the six questions covered in the Summa de anima but focuses exclusively on the powers of the soul themselves, both cognitive and volitional, and their operations. The chapter addresses the contention of the Tractatus’ editor that this work is merely a preparatory study for the more mature Summa de anima, showing how it outlines a unique psychology, heavily influenced by the Islamic philosopher Avicenna, which John incorporates into the Christian tradition through identifying rough points of contact in the work of John of Damascus and pseudo-Augustine.