Duns Scotus’s Modal Argument for the Existence of God - An Introduction

Duns Scotus’s Modal Argument for the Existence of God - An Introduction

Audio recording of a lecture given by tutor James Carey on April 12, 2023 as part of the Dean's Lecture & Concert Series. The Dean's Office has provided this description of the event: "John Duns Scotus (c. 1266 –1308) was a Franciscan friar and theologian so renowned for his logical acumen and ingenuity that he early on acquired the appellation “the subtle doctor.” His argument for the existence of God is not nearly as well-known as are the arguments of Anselm (c. 1033–1109) and Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274), though it is held by some to be the most powerful of them all. Scotus’s argument is “modal” in that it turns on the concepts of possibility, actuality, and necessity. It does not rely on the claims of revelation; and it does not rely on an Aristotelian theory of motion either. Scotus’ argument is complex. And it is long too, occupying in one version, On the First Principle (De Primo Principio), some 70 pages of tight reasoning and concentrated, technical prose. My lecture is only an introduction, and it presupposes no prior familiarity with Scotus. I presented an earlier version of this lecture here in 2015. Some faculty heard it, though few, if any, current students. Sophomores, in particular, might find it of interest."

Santa Fe, NM

2023-04-12

Meem Library has been given permission to make this item available online.

sound

mp3

English

SF_CareyJ_Duns_Scotus_Modal_Argument_for_the_Existence_of_God_2023-04-12

m4a

01:06:16