The Ordinatio of John Duns Scotus :: Ordinatio. Prologue.

Frontmatter

Titlepage

The Ordinatio of Blessed John Duns Scotus

Prologue

Translated by Peter L.P. Simpson

Translator's Preface

This translation of the Prologue of the Ordinatio (aka Opus Oxoniense) of Blessed John Duns Scotus is complete. It is based on volume one of the critical edition of the text by the Scotus Commission in Rome and published by Frati Quaracchi.

Scotus’ Latin is tight and not seldom elliptical, exploiting to the full the grammatical resources of the language to make his meaning clear (especially the backward references of his pronouns). In English this ellipsis must, for the sake of intelligibility, often be translated with a fuller repetition of words and phrases than Scotus himself gives. The possibility of mistake thus arises if the wrong word or phrase is chosen for repetition. The only check to remove error is to ensure that the resulting English makes the sense intended by Scotus. Whether this sense has always been captured in the translation that follows must be judged by the reader. So comments and notice of errors are most welcome.

Peter L.P. Simpson
psimpson@gc.cuny.edu
December, 2012

Prologue

First Part

On the Necessity of Revealed Doctrine

Single Question: Whether it was necessary for man in this present state that some doctrine be supernaturally inspired.	Num. 1
I. Controversy between Philosophers and Theologians	Num. 5
A. Opinion of the Philosophers	Num. 5
B. Rejection of the Opinion of the Philosophers	Num. 12
II. Solution of the Question	Num. 57
III. On the Three Principal Reasons against the Philosophers	Num. 66
IV. To the Arguments of the Philosophers	Num. 72
V. To the Principal Arguments	Num. 90

Second Part

On the Sufficiency of Revealed Doctrine

Single Question: Whether the supernatural knowledge necessary for the wayfarer is sufficiently handed on in Sacred Scripture.	Num. 95
I. On the Truth of Sacred Scripture	Num. 99
II. Principal Response to the Question	Num. 120
III. To the Principal Arguments	Num. 121

Third Part

On the Object of Theology

Question 1: Whether theology is about God as about its first object.	Num. 124
Question 2: Whether Theology is about God under some special Idea	Num. 133
Question 3: Whether Theology is about Everything by Way of Attribution of them to its First Subject	Num. 139
I. Preliminary Remarks	Num. 141
II. On the Necessary Part of Theology
A. To the First Question, speaking of Theology in itself.	Num. 151
B. To the Second Question, speaking of Theology in itself	Num. 158
C. To the First Question, speaking of Our Theology	Num. 168
III. On Contingent Theology	Num. 169
IV. On Christ as First Object	Num. 172
V. To the Principal Arguments of the First Question	Num. 183
VI. To the principal Arguments of the Second Question	Num. 192
VI. To the Third Question
A. Opinion of Others	Num. 196
B. Scotus’ own Response	Num. 200
VII. To the principal Arguments of the Third Question	Num. 207

Fourth Part

On Theology as a Science

Questions 1 and 2: Whether theology in itself is a science, and whether it is subaltern-ing or subaltern-ed	Num. 208
I. To the First Question	Num. 208
II. To the Second Question	Num. 214

Fifth Part

On Theology insofar as it is a Practical Science

Question 1: Whether theology is a practical or a speculative science Num. 217
Question 2: Whether a science is called practical per se from order to action as to its end	Num. 223
I. What Action [Praxis] is	Num. 228
II. How Practical Knowledge is Extended to Action	Num. 236
III. From what Source Knowledge gets its Extension to Action Num. 239
IV. To the Second Question	Num. 265
V. To the First Question
A. The Opinion of Others	Num. 270
B. Scotus’ own Opinion	Num. 314
VI. To the Principal Arguments of the First Question	Num. 345
VII. To the Principal Arguments of the Second Question	Num. 356

SUBSCRIBER:

past masters commons

Annotation Guide:

Frontmatter

Titlepage

Translator's Preface

Contents