Transformative Learning - A Closer Look at Critical Reflection with Franz Brentano

Mezirow’s transformative learning (TL) theory highlights the importance of critically examining frames of reference and their origins. While critical reflection is central to TL, its connection with emotions remains insufficiently addressed. This paper asserts that critical reflection encompasses rationality and emotionality, forming a unified consciousness that integrates mind and heart. By revisiting foundational psychological concepts, particularly Franz Brentano’s theories of intentionality and mental phenomena, which closely connect with Mezirow’s concept of critical reflection, this article offers a fresh perspective on the rational-emotional interplay. The article reviews Mezirow’s TL theory, introduces Brentano’s key concepts, and critiques the underrepresentation of emotionality in Mezirow’s framework, emphasising its integral role in critical reflection. It explores the unity of consciousness and demonstrates how meaning-making and reflection are inherently shaped by emotional experiences. A Brentano-inspired lens clarifies the ambiguities of transformation, challenges the necessity of a disorienting dilemma, and proposes alternative pathways. The paper concludes with practical recommendations for educators and directions for future research.