The Intersection of Philosophy and Theology

The Intersection of Philosophy and Theology: Henry of Ghent on the Scope of Metaphysics and the Background in Aquinas and Bonaventure

• Author	Juan Carlos Flores
  Rights	© 2015 Aletheia - Associação Científica e Cultural | © 2015 Revista Portuguesa de Filosofia
  Volume	71
  Issue	2-3
  Pages	531-544
  Publication	Revista Portuguesa de Filosofia
  ISSN	0870-5283; 2183-461X
  Date	2015
  DOI	10.17990/RPF/2015_71_2_0531
  Language	English
  Abstract	Resumo: Henrique de Gand († 1293) redefine o carácter da metafísica contra o pano de fundo do agostinianismo e do aristotelismo. Curiosamente, Henrique desenvolve a tradição aristotélica, nomeadamente Avicena, a fim de reforçar e sistematizar os princípios agostinianos. Este artigo concentra-se em um particular, embora fundamental, aspecto da metafísica de Gand, nomeadamente, a sua visão de como é a intersecção entre a metafísica e a teologia. A concepção de Henrique deste cruzamento revela elementos centrais da sua filosofia e teologia. A fim de apreciar o desenvolvimento do tema, por parte do autor, este artigo também considera as posições de dois dos seus principais antecessores, nomeadamente Boaventura († 1274) e Tomás de Aquino († 1274). Palavras-chave: Avicena, Boaventura, Henrique de Gand, metafísica, teologia, Tomás de Aquino Abstract: Henry of Ghent (d. 1293) redefines the character of metaphysics against the background of Augustinianism and Aristotelianism. Interestingly, Henry develops the Aristotelian tradition, notably Avicenna, in order to strengthen and systematize Augustinian principles. This article focuses on a particular, though fundamental, aspect of Henry’s metaphysics, namely his view of how metaphysics and theology intersect. Henry’s conception of this intersection reveals central elements of his philosophy and theology. In order to appreciate Henry’s development of this topic, the article also considers the positions of two of his chief predecessors, namely Bonaventure (d. 1274) and Thomas Aquinas (d. 1274). Keywords: Avicenna, Bonaventure, Henry of Ghent, metaphysics, theology, Thomas Aquinas
  Date Added	28/07/2015, 12:03:17
  Modified	21/10/2015, 15:41:55

  Tags:

  • Avicenna
  • Bonaventure
  • Henry of Ghent
  • metaphysics
  • Theology
  • Thomas Aquinas

  References:

  • PRIMARY TEXTS

    Aquinas, S. T. Summa Theologiae, Opera Omnia, IV-XII, iussu Leonis XIII P. M. edita, Roma, 1882- .

    Aquinas, S. T. Thomas Aquinas. The division and methods of the sciences, Questions V and VI of his Commentary on the De Trinitate of Boethius, Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, Toronto, 1986.

    Aquinas, S. T. Basic Writings of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Hackett, Indianapolis, 1997.

    Avicenna, Liber de Philosophia Prima sive Scientia Divina, V-X, ed. S. Van Riet, Brill, Louvain-Leiden, 1980.

    Bonaventure, S. Itinerarium Mentis in Deum, The Franciscan Institute, New York, 1956.

    Bonaventure, S. Saint Bonaventure’s Disputed Questions on the Mystery of the Trinity, The Franciscan Institute, New York, 1979.

    Duns Scotus, J. Opera Omnia, iussu P. M. Perantoni edita, praeside C. Balić, Vatican, 1950- .

    Henry of Ghent, Henrici de Gandavo Opera Omnia, Ancient and Medieval Philosophy (Series 2), Leuven University Press, Leuven, 1979- .

    Henry of Ghent, Summa Quaestionum Ordinariarum, Theologi recepto praeconio Solemnis HENRICI A GANDAVO. In aedibus J. Badii Ascensii, Parisiis 1520 (2 vols., reprint: ed. E. M. Buytaert, The Franciscan Institute, St. Bonaventure, New York, 1953).

    Maimonides, M. The Guide of the Perplexed, Hackett, Indianapolis, 1995

     

    SECONDARY SOURCES

    Brown, S. F. “Henry of Ghent’s Critique of Aquinas’ Subalternation Theory and the Early Thomistic Response”, in R. Työrinoja et al. (eds.), Knowledge and the Sciences in Medieval Philosophy, Publications of Luther-Agricola Society, Helsinki, 1990, 337-345. 

    Brown, S. F., and Flores, J.C. Historical Dictionary of Medieval Philosophy and Theology, The Scarecrow Press, Lanham, MD, 2007.

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    Doyle, J. P. “St. Thomas Aquinas on Theological Truth,” in K. Emery, Jr., et al. (eds.), Philosophy and Theology in the Long Middle Ages. A Tribute to Stephen F. Brown, Brill, Leiden-Boston, 2011, 571-589.

    Flores, J. C. Henry of Ghent:  Metaphysics and the Trinity, with a critical edition of question six of article fifty-five of the Summa Quaestionum Ordinariarum, Leuven University Press, Leuven, 2006.

    Flores, J. C. “Henry of Ghent on the Trinity,” in G. A. Wilson (ed.), A Companion to Henry of Ghent, Brill, Leiden, 2011, 135-150.

    Flores, J. C. “Intellect and Will as Natural Principles: Connecting Theology, Metaphysics and Psychology in Henry of Ghent,” in G. Guldentops et al. (eds.), Henry of Ghent and the Transformation of Scholastic Thought, Leuven University Press, Leuven, 2003, 277-305.

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    Pickavé, M., “Henry of Ghent on Metaphysics,” in G. A. Wilson (ed.), A Companion to Henry of Ghent, Brill, Leiden, 2011, 153-179.

    Porro, P.,  “Metaphysics and Theology in the Last Quarter of the Thirteenth Century:  Henry of Ghent Reconsidered,” in J. Aertsen et al. (eds.), Geistesleben im 13. Jahrhundert, De Gruyter, Berlin-New York, 2000, 265-282.

    Speer, A. “Certitude and Wisdom in Bonaventure and Henry of Ghent,” in G. Guldentops et al. (eds.), Henry of Ghent and the Transformation of Scholastic Thought, Leuven University Press, Leuven, 2003, 75-100.