The Philosophical Vision of John Duns Scotus: An Introduction

In this much-anticipated work, distinguished authors Mary Beth Ingham and Mechthild Dreyer present an accessible introduction to the philosophy of the thirteenth century Franciscan John Duns Scotus. Based on their expert knowledge of Scotus, this text brings together key insights of Scotus's theory of cognition, metaphysics, and ethics in a comprehensive and unified manner. The authors use critical texts and the most recent scholarship on Scotus to introduce the intricate vision of the Subtle Doctor to a wide audience.

This volume offers a point of entry into the world of medieval philosophy and its connection to questions belonging to natural theology: the existence of God, divine freedom, and perfection. It presents important historical information on Scotus himself, but additionally on the philosophical context in which he taught. The authors explicate his thought in light of the dominant questions of the late thirteenth century.

The integrative and comprehensive presentation of the essential elements of Scotus's philosophical vision makes this book an excellent resource. Basic concepts are explained for the non-specialist, while helpful discussions of Scotus's conceptions will be useful for those already familiar with his work.

Mary Beth Ingham is Professor of Philosophy and Associate Academic Vice President at Loyola Marymount University. In addition to numerous articles and reviews, her most recent works include Scotus for Dunces: An Introduction to the Subtle Doctor and The Harmony of Goodness: Mutuality and Moral Living According to John Duns Scotus. Mechthild Dreyer, author of numerous works published in German, is Professor of Scholastic Philosophy at the University of Mainz, Germany. Her recent works include Scotus's Theoremata (coedited with Hannes M hle) in Scotus Opera Philosophica, Vol. 2, and Nikolaus von Amiens: Ars fidei catholicae.

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:

" A] useful and readable introduction. . . ."- M. Andic, Choice

"Ingham and Dreyer have performed a valuable service to study of medieval thought with the publication of The Philosophical Vision of John Duns Scotus by providing a lucid and comprehensive introduction to Scotism. While they clearly wrote the book for the student beginning to study Scotus, they write with such clarity and insight about subtle points in scholastic disputes that even more advanced students and scholars will benefit from reading this book.... John Duns Scotus] has rarely been presented with greater skill and insight than in Ingham and Dreyer's introduction to his philosophy." -- Christopher Cullen, Review of Metaphysics

"As an introduction to Scotus's ethics within the context of his entire philosophical vision, this book] deserves every success." -- Chris Schabel, Speculum

"Students of scholastic theology and philosophy will benefit from reading this introduction, which provides a clear analysis of the Subtle Doctor's thought." -- Andrew Rosato, Religious Studies Review