This study is concerned with the ontology of Gilbert of Poitiers. Gilbert takes the cue from Boethius’ Theological writings, which contain a system of categorical organization different from that present in the logical commentaries. Gilbert’s ontological catalog is quite varied: there are special, general and differentials subsistences, which are called by name: ‘humanity’, ‘animality’ (or ‘being man’ ‘being animal’), ‘rationality’. We then have all the qualitative and quantitative determinations that rely on subsistences; these properties have particular instantiations, but at the same time eternal specimens (see the reference to the ideas or ‘sincere substances’). In parallel Gilbert describes a world of individual substances and properties related by certain relations of similarity. There are other objects of which Gilbert does not speak much and not always in an univocal way, as collections of individual properties and undifferentiated objects, for instance the raw material and the first elements. This rich ontology can be used to support different metaphysical games, my suggestion is that Gilbert does not definitely decides to pick one, whilst providing interesting possible strategies for some of them.

Sull'ontologia di Gilberto Porretano / Pinzani, Roberto. - In: NOCTUA. - ISSN 2284-1180. - I:2(2014), pp. 209-258.

Sull'ontologia di Gilberto Porretano

PINZANI, Roberto
2014-01-01

Abstract

This study is concerned with the ontology of Gilbert of Poitiers. Gilbert takes the cue from Boethius’ Theological writings, which contain a system of categorical organization different from that present in the logical commentaries. Gilbert’s ontological catalog is quite varied: there are special, general and differentials subsistences, which are called by name: ‘humanity’, ‘animality’ (or ‘being man’ ‘being animal’), ‘rationality’. We then have all the qualitative and quantitative determinations that rely on subsistences; these properties have particular instantiations, but at the same time eternal specimens (see the reference to the ideas or ‘sincere substances’). In parallel Gilbert describes a world of individual substances and properties related by certain relations of similarity. There are other objects of which Gilbert does not speak much and not always in an univocal way, as collections of individual properties and undifferentiated objects, for instance the raw material and the first elements. This rich ontology can be used to support different metaphysical games, my suggestion is that Gilbert does not definitely decides to pick one, whilst providing interesting possible strategies for some of them.
2014
Sull'ontologia di Gilberto Porretano / Pinzani, Roberto. - In: NOCTUA. - ISSN 2284-1180. - I:2(2014), pp. 209-258.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11381/2751514
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