Franz Brentano
Franz Brentano (1838-1917) was a prominent German-Austrian philosopher and psychologist known for his influential contributions to the fields of psychology and philosophy. Born into a religious and intellectual family, Brentano developed a strong interest in Aristotle's philosophies during his adolescence. He was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in 1864 but later distanced himself from the church's doctrines, particularly during debates on papal infallibility. His seminal work, "Psychologie vom empirischen Standpunkte" (Psychology from an Empirical Standpoint), published in 1874, established him as a key figure in systematic psychology and earned him a professorship at the University of Vienna.
Brentano was recognized for his engaging teaching style, which significantly impacted notable thinkers such as Sigmund Freud and Anton Marty. His personal life included challenges, such as the inability to marry due to his priestly status, prompting his move to Saxony, where he married Ida von Lieben. Following her death, he later remarried Emilie Ruprecht and lived in Florence until World War I, after which he relocated to Zurich, where he passed away. Many of his works were published posthumously by his dedicated students, contributing to his lasting legacy in philosophy and psychology.
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Franz Brentano
Philosopher
- Born: January 16, 1838
- Birthplace: Marienberg, Rheinland, Germany
- Died: March 17, 1917
- Place of death: Zurich, Switzerland
Biography
Franz Brentano, a nineteenth century philosopher and psychologist, was born in Marienburg, Rheinland, Germany, into a strongly religious and intellectual German-Italian family. Brentano spent his adolescence studying mathematics, poetry, philosophy, and theology in the cities of Munich, Wurzburg, and Berlin. By the time Brentano entered high school, he had developed a keen interest in Aristotle’s philosophies. In 1862, he completed his Ph.D. thesis. After receiving his degree, Brentano entered the seminary in Munich and began preparations for the priesthood.
In 1864, Brentano was ordained a Roman Catholic priest. After his ordination, he began lecturing at the University of Wurzburg, where he became a full professor in 1873. However, shortly after his promotion to full professor, Brentano began questioning the dogmas of the Roman Catholic Church. He became heavily involved with the debate over papal infallibility, and eventually withdrew from the priesthood and his teaching position. At this time, Brentano began writing one of his most influential works, Psychologie vom empirischen Standpunkte (psychology from an empirical standpoint). This work, published in 1874, was a three-volume presentation of systematic psychology.
The notoriety earned from this publication earned Brentano a position as full professor at the University of Vienna, Austria. Brentano was described by his colleagues and students as a charismatic teacher. His teachings influenced many future philosophers and psychologists such as Sigmund Freud, Anton Marty, and Carl Stumph. These followers spread Brentano’s philosophies throughout middle Europe.
In 1880, Brentano planned to marry Ida von Lieben. However, the laws of the Austro- Hungarian Empire at that time did not allow a formerly ordained priest to marry. Therefore, Brentano left Austria and his position at the University of Vienna and moved to Saxony, where he was permitted to marry. Shortly after marrying von Lieben, Brentano returned to Austria, but was not allowed to earn a salary teaching. In 1895, von Lieben died and Brentano moved to Florence, Italy. In 1897, while in Florence, Italy, he met and married his second wife, Emilie Ruprecht. Brentano remained in Florence, Italy until the outbreak of World War I, when he transferred to Zurich, Switzerland. Franz Brentano died in Zurich in 1917. Many of Brentano’s works were not published until after his death. These posthumous publications were carried out by his devoted pupils Anton Marty, Alfred Kastil, and Oskar Kraus.