noèse

Noèse is a term originating from ancient Greek philosophy, most notably explored by Plato and Aristotle. It refers to the act or process of thinking, understanding, or perceiving. In its broadest sense, noèse encompasses all mental activity involving intellect and cognition. It is the direct apprehension or grasp of something by the mind.

Plato, in his theory of Forms, used noèse to describe the highest level of understanding, which is the intellectual intuition of the Forms themselves. This is distinct from dianoia, which is discursive reasoning. For Plato, noèse represents a pure, unmediated knowledge achieved through the intellect.

Aristotle, while also employing the term, focused more on the practical aspects of thought. He discussed noèse in relation to the active intellect, the faculty that abstracts universal concepts from sensory experience. His understanding of noèse involves the mind's ability to grasp the essences of things.

In contemporary philosophy, noèse continues to be a subject of discussion, particularly within phenomenology. It is often contrasted with noesis, which refers to the content of thought or the object of cognition. Together, noesis and noema form a fundamental pair in phenomenological analysis, describing the intentional act of consciousness and its intended object. The concept of noèse, therefore, is central to understanding the nature of knowledge, consciousness, and the mind's interaction with reality across various philosophical traditions.