Abstract

The classical Brentano’s distinction between self-observation and inner perception is presented. In this text Brentano argues that the critics of self-observation are right when they attack self-observation, but that they are mistaken in concluding that as a consequence psychology cannot be based on the study of phenomena occurring in the internal sphere of consciousness. In his view their mistake is due to lack of conceptual clarity, in particular in the fact that they failed to distinguish self-observation from inner perception. In characterizing inner perception the author establishes the foundations for the development of his famous concept of intentionality which is at the basis of subsequent reflection on both phenomenology and philosophy of mind.