John Antturi

Since January 2023, I have worked as a Doctoral Researcher in Theoretical Philosophy at the University of Helsinki, where I previously obtained a BA and MA in Theoretical Philosophy. My doctoral research focuses on the late medieval period's exploration of universal cognition, specifically from 1255 to 1513. Universal cognition involves both the broad capabilities of the human intellect and the abstract way it apprehends its objects. This concept is central to understanding medieval arguments around whether the intellect's nature is corporeal or incorporeal. I examine the works of thinkers like Albert the Great and Thomas Aquinas, who argue that an incorporeal intellect is necessary for universal cognition, contrasting with others like John Duns Scotus, William Ockham, John Buridan, Marsilius of Inghen, and Nicholas of Amsterdam, who offer different views.

 

The goal is to analyze these discussions thoroughly, highlighting their structure and the broader implications for the philosophy of mind. By doing so, I hope to clarify these medieval positions and to offer insights into the history of these enduring questions about the nature of the human intellect. My visit to Notre Dame is kindly supported by the Finnish Cultural Foundation.