Intelligibility (philosophy)

For other uses, see Intelligibility.

In philosophy, intelligibility is what can be comprehended by the human mind. The intelligible method is thought thinking itself, or the human mind reflecting. Plato referred to the intelligible realm of mathematics, forms, first principles, logical deduction, and the dialectical method. The intelligible realm of thought thinking about thought does not necessarily require any visual images, sensual impressions, and material causes for the contents of mind. Descartes referred to this method of thought thinking about itself, without the possible illusions of the senses. Kant made similar claims about a priori knowledge. A priori knowledge is claimed to be independent of the content of experience.

Usage

The objects or concepts that have intelligibility may be called intelligible.

There may be a distinction between everything that is intelligible and everything that is visible, called the intelligible world and the visible world in e.g. the analogy of the divided line.

Examples

The Absolute is generally regarded as being only partially intelligible.

See also

• A priori
• Descartes
• Forms
• Immaterialism
• Incorporeal
• Plato