Themistius’ Agent Intellect Theory

Themistius stands in an important place in the history of philosophy in context of the tradition of commentary of Aristotle’s De Anima. Themistius wrote a commentary on Aristotle’s De Anima, This Commentary translated to Arabic and Themistius effected theories on spirits in Islamic Philosophy by this Commentary. Themistius has characterized agent intellect as human power rather than transcendent or divine content. This type of commentary about agent intellect contrary to Alexander of Aphrodisias’ ideas as agent intellect should be God and commentators interpreted agent intellect should be extension of a transcendent entity in human mind. According to Themistius, agent intellect participated in human material intellect, leading to human material intellect, and converting to potential intelligible to actual intelligible. However, agent intellect performing these issues as superior form of human spirit not as an external power. Thus, agent intellect is the ultimate form of soul and potential mind. Agent intellect is not a mixture from the outside. Agent intellect is not God or is not an extension of a divine power on the human soul. According to Themistius, Potential intellect and Agent intellect is not many but One, in fact potential intellect, actual intellect, and agent intellect are not reference to multitude but they are oneness. Thus, Themistius interpreted the Aristotle’s De Anima on the basis of a Platonic view in the context of spiritual unity