Modal Syllogistics in the Middle Ages

Abstract

This thesis presents the first systematic study of the development of the theory of modal syllogistic during the Middle Ages. It traces the theory from the first commentators, after the rediscovery of Aristotle's Prior Analytics in the twelfth century, to the end of the Middle Ages in the fifteenth century.In Chapter 2, I examine Robert Kilwardby's and Albert the Great's commentaries. I argue that Kilwardby's interpretation is very influential in the thirteenth and early fourteenth century, and, furthermore, that Kilwardby's interpretation is influenced by the Arabic commentator Averroes (Ibn Rushd). The largely forgotten early fourteenth-century philosopher Richard of Campsall is studied in Chapter 3. He is the first to use the distinction between composite and divided modal propositions in the modal syllogistic. Influenced by Campsall, William of Ockham develops a more systematic account of the Aristotelian theory. In Chapter 4, I draw attention to numerous problems in Ockham's theory, particularly in his theory of the divided modal syllogistic. I also discuss whether the nominalist Ockham accepts the notion of merely possible beings.Chapter 5 contains a study of John Buridan's systematisation of the modal syllogistic. By simplifying Ockham's analysis of divided modal propositions, Buridan is able to give a systematic account of the modal syllogistic. The theory developed by Buridan is dominant throughout the entire Middle Ages.In Chapter 6, Pseudo-Scotus' contribution is discussed and largely re-evaluated. Chapter 7 treats Buridan's two students Albert of Saxony and Marsilius of Inghen. The last chapter is devoted to the study of Martin Luther's teacher, Jodocus Trutfetter.

Cite this work

No public copy is stored for this record, so only the metadata is cited.

Stored only when both papers are in the corpus — 131 citations exist upstream.