The Anatomy of Melancholy

The word. The active intellect, intellectus agens, is the mind’s active power of understanding. Discoursing means reasoning through successive steps. These terms concern intellectual activity, although Burton can also use them playfully.

In Burton. The anatomy of understanding begins with sensory objects and proceeds through reasoning towards corporeal and spiritual substance. Its classifications include active and passive understanding. Elsewhere, Burton puts the active intellect in craftspeople’s fingertips, making philosophical vocabulary praise practical skill.

The places. The active intellect is humorously lodged in skilled fingers. (p. 55; DJR-014-34.) The activities and divisions of understanding are listed. (p. 28; DJR-026-27.)

In this edition. “intellectus agens” → “active intellect” (DJR-014-34); “by discoursing” → “by reasoning” (DJR-026-27); “Discoursing, Reasoning” → “discursive thought, reasoning” (DJR-026-27); “Agent, and Patient” → “active and passive” (DJR-026-27). The renderings distinguish reasoning from conversation. Active intellect retains the technical term where Burton’s joke depends on placing it in the hands.

See also. Faculty; Actuality.

Intelligence

Source forms: intelligence

The word. An intelligence here is an immaterial being or mover understood to animate or move a celestial body. It does not simply mean cleverness or information.

In Burton. Burton surveys claims that the earth and stars possess souls. Intelligence stands alongside soul and angel in the proposed account of a star’s life or motion. The surrounding catalogue assembles several philosophical traditions rather than setting out a single agreed doctrine.

The places. A star is said to have a soul, angel or intelligence. (p. 252–253; DJR-075-06.)

In this edition. “intelligence to animate or move it” → “intelligence to give it life or motion” (DJR-075-06). The noun remains, while the expanded verbs clarify what this supposed being does. The local note supplies immaterial mover.

See also. Astrology; Essence and quintessence.

Intention and remission

Source forms: intended; remitted; intention; intentive; remiss; intend

The word. Intend can mean strengthen, intensify or direct attention; remit can mean lessen or relax. Intention may mean tension or strain, and intentive describes concentrated attention. These senses do not reduce to planning an action or forgiving an offence.

In Burton. Burton repeatedly describes symptoms and imagination as heightened or diminished. The same vocabulary applies to strengthening hearing and fixing attention on someone’s beauty. In the account of appetite and mental exertion, intention is strain, while intentive operations demand concentration. Remiss illness is comparatively mild.

The places. The severity of impairment varies among people. (p. 8; DJR-022-18.) Imagination is heightened or relaxed. (p. 96; DJR-039-34.) Symptoms intensify or diminish with further disturbance. (p. 202; DJR-062-30.) Tension and concentrated operations burden the soul. (p. 208; DJR-064-11.) Remiss describes a less severe form of illness. (p. 212; DJR-065-06.) An instrument is said to strengthen hearing. (p. 284; DJR-082-05.) The lover is told not to fix special attention on a woman. (p. 550; DJR-135-05.) Symptoms grow stronger or weaker with the illness. (p. 704; DJR-165-46.)