Franz Brentano_The True and the Evident.pdf

FOREWORD
Franz Brentano authorized me to edit his unpublished writings. The notebooks for his
lectures often contain brief notes and phrases in place of carefully worked out sentences;
his manuscripts and dictations are frequently only sketches and they make use of as few
words as possible. But in preparing the present book, I have decided that it is preferable to
present the material as it stands. I have provided an introduction and detailed explanatory
comments in order that the book might be a unified whole.
Hence the book itself—the publication of which has been supported by T.G.Masaryk—is
my own responsibility. I decided what selection should be made from the great wealth of
unpublished material; I have tried to arrange the material in such a way that the development
of certain lines of thought will be made clear; I have provided an introduction and notes,
which are essential, I believe, to the general understanding of what Brentano is saying; and
I have replied to certain objections.
While the effect of Brentano’s own publications has been relatively small, the effect of
his lectures, his letters, and his conversations has been enormous, as is evidenced in the
writings of those who studied with him. Yet his own books are less well known than are those
of his students. Hence I have undertaken the following: to make clear that Brentano himself
is the source of certain highly significant discoveries and advances, and to present in their
original form views which were subsequently corrupted or distorted beyond recognition;
to indicate the way in which Brentano revised his views after unceasing investigation and
self-criticism; to emphasize his critique of ancient and modern errors; and to note those
points of his later views which seem to be contributions of extraordinary significance.
Brentano died in 1917; he is the philosopher, not of yesterday, but of tomorrow.
OSKAR KRAUS
Prague, October 1930.