Psychology from an Empirical Standpoint

by Franz Brentano

This edition of Brentano's most famous work contains the text corresponding to his original 1874 manuscript. It is placed in its current philosophical context in a revealing introduction by Peter Simons.

Genres: Philosophy, Psychology, Nonfiction, Classics, Psychoanalysis

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1874

About the author

Franz Clemens Honoratus Hermann Brentano (/brɛnˈtɑːnoʊ/; German: [bʀɛnˈtaːno]) was a philosopher, psychologist, and priest whose work strongly influenced not only students Edmund Husserl, Sigmund Freud, Tomáš Masaryk, Rudolf Steiner, Alexius Meinong, Carl Stumpf, Anton Marty, Kazimierz Twardowski, and Christian von Ehrenfels, but many others whose work would follow and make use of his original ideas and concepts.

Reviews

[r0b · Rating 4 out of 5]

Difficult but certainly worthwhile...I admit I think my favourite part was Kraus’ very readable introduction!

[Humphrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brentano's work is under studied but significant, and not just for his revival of the importance of intentionality. This work's discussion (and rejection) of unconscious thought (as such), its separation of presentation and judgment, and its merger of will and feeling are also significant. Brentano's prose is lucid, and his clear distinction of his position from his immediate forbears is also useful for the reader attempting to keep 19th century psychology/philosophy in order.

[Sagal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty easy and interesting to read. Brentanos concept of Intentionality is important for Philosophy, especially Phenomenology.

[A. B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am beginning my study of phenomenology from its very first formulations. Brentano's book was clear and lucid, and a rather enjoyable read. This was a very good introduction to the way philosophy of mind should be conceived from a phenomenological perspective instead of a metaphysical one. Note that I did not read the additional essays from the author's Nachlass, but just the first 320 pages of Psychology from an Empirical Standpoint and the Appendix.