The Logical Underpinnings of Medieval and Theological Texts (AP9124C)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This unit considers key medieval logico-semantic concepts, and in particular those elaborated by Aquinas and later Thomists. Starting with the introduction of Aristotelian logic in medieval universities and the status of medieval university Arts curriculum, the unit then surveys the logico-semantics of significant figures such as Robert Kilwardby, Harvaeus Natalis, William of Ockham and Radulphus Brito. Topics treated may include the nature and subject of logic; the division of the speculative sciences, metaphysics and theology as sciences; sophismata; and various distinctions between real and rational being, between first and second intentions, between formal and objective concepts, and between real and logical universals, and the difference between equivocal, univocal and analogical predication. The mutual enrichment of these logico-semantic notions and philosophico-theological topics (such as the divine attributes, or divine foreknowledge) will be elaborated, and their relevance for today assessed.

Unit code: AP9124C

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Philosophy

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Catholic Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Analyse the selected primary texts carefully in relation to their purpose and historical context, and identify their basic positions on human nature;
2.

Critically expound and evaluate the theories, terminology and arguments studied in the unit
3.

Situate and critically interpret the material studied in relation to the wider framework of the Christian philosophical tradition (e.g. faith and reason, voluntarism and rationalism
4.

Reflect on the relevance of the medieval theories studied in the unit for contemporary philosophy and theology;
5.

Define, plan and undertake a topic of research in a critically rigorous, sustained and self-directed manner, in accord with the methodologies and conventions of research in medieval philosophy

Pedagogy

Lectures, seminars, tutorials

Indicative Bibliography

  • Brown, S. F., T. Dewender, and T. Kobusch, eds. Philosophical Debates et Paris in the Early Fourteenth Century. Leiden-Boston: Brill, 2009.
  • Doyle, J. P., ed. and trans. A Treatise of Master Hervaeus Natalis: On Second Intentions. 2 vols. in 1 tome. Milwaukee, WI: Marquette University Press, 2008.
  • Hochschild, J. P. The Semantics of Analogy: Rereading Cajetan’s De Nominum Analogia. Notre Dame, IN: Notre Dame University Press, 2010.
  • Jenkins, J. I. Knowledge and Faith in Thomas Aquinas. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997.
  • Kretzmann, N., A. Kenny, and J. Pinborg, eds. The Cambridge History of Later Medieval Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1982.
  • Marrone, S. P. The Light of Thy Countenance: Science and the Knowledge of God in the Thirteenth Century. Leiden-Boston: Brill, 2001.
  • Pasnau, R., ed. The Cambridge History of Medieval Philosophy, 2 vols. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010.
  • Perler, D., ed. Ancient and Medieval Theories of Intentionality. Leiden: Brill, 2001.
  • Schmidt, R. W. The Domain of Logic According to St. Thomas Aquinas. The Hague: Nijhoff, 1966.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Option 1: 6,000-word essay 100% Week 16

Or Option 2: 4,000-word essay 60% Essay: week 14, 15 or 16, as set at semester start by lecturer & published in unit outline; 2-hour written examination (2,000 words) 40% Exam week 16

Or Option 3: 4,000-word essay 60% ) For each essay: one of weeks 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16, as set by lecturer at 2,000-word essay 40% ) semester start & published in unit outline

 0 0.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 1 Nov, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2022-04-01 12:38:20 +1100