 James was well aware that by denying the distinction between the two intellects, he was opposing the consensus view of Aristotle commentators. Indeed, his views seem to run counter to the De anima itself, though, as he would mischievously point out, it was difficult to determine just what Aristotle’s doctrine was, so obscure was its formulation (Quodl. I, q. 12, p. 169, 426—170, 439). He explained that what he was denying was not that there was a “difference” in the intellect—the soul’s powers did exhibit such a difference since they were both active and passive—rather, what he was denying was that’s the existence of a difference implied a real distinction of powers (Quodl. I, q. 12, p. 170, 440–45).