active reason

American  

noun

Aristotelianism.

1. an activity of intellect, embodying universal truth, potentially present in the mind of every individual, and when present, forming the only immortal part of the individual.

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Example Sentences

In subordination to the passive intellect, the external faculty, the active reason, is also to be cultivated; it deserves care, like the skin.

From History of Modern Philosophy From Nicolas of Cusa to the Present Time by Falckenberg, Richard

The positive activity of thought itself is active reason.

From A Critical History of Greek Philosophy by Stace, W. T. (Walter Terence)

The perfection of man is based more on his passive capacities than on his active reason, which is concerned with mere ideas, unreal shadows; the mathematical spirit leads to fatalism, to the denial of freedom.

From History of Modern Philosophy From Nicolas of Cusa to the Present Time by Falckenberg, Richard

But to this doctrine Aristotle makes an exception in favour of the active reason.

From A Critical History of Greek Philosophy by Stace, W. T. (Walter Terence)

He seems to waver about identifying the "spark" with the "active reason," but inclines on the whole to regard it as something even higher still.

From Light, Life, and Love : selections from the German mystics of the middle ages by Inge, William Ralph