Thomas Aquinas's theory of signification according to his commentary on Aristotle's De Interpretatione

Abstract

This article aims to analyze Thomas Aquinas's theory of signification, as set out in the first chapter of Aristotle's De Interpretatione. Thomas's theory is based on Aristotle's semantic triangle, which discusses the relationship between the thing, the affections of the soul, and its utterance. This has allowed modern researchers to establish a psychological interpretation of language. The main question of this interpretation is to explore what the spoken sound (word) signifies primarily – the thing or the affections of the soul. In this regard, Thomas also addresses three main issues in his comments: 1. What does the spoken sound primarily and directly signify? 2. What are the affections of the soul and what role does it play in the theory of signification? 3. In what form does the spoken sound (word) signify?

According to Thomas, a word signifies directly and primarily affections of the soul, which is at the same time a concept of the mind, and only through it, secondarily, thing. According to some modern theorists, nothing of the kind is read with Thomas. Therefore, in this paper, I try to present Thomas's theory of signification.