Scotus for Dunces: An Introduction to the Subtle Doctor

by Mary Beth Ingham

This book is a "simple guide" to theological and philosophical aspects of the thought of the medieval Franciscan, John Duns Scotus. Known as the Subtle Doctor, Scotus has a reputation for intricate and technical reasoning. Ingham provides an insightful and creative introduction to his thought in this book. Philosophical and theological principles are explored with clarity and demonstrated by the use of numerous practical examples. By organizing the book around themes that are both timely and urgent, Ingham invites the reader into thoughtful reflection, encourages lively discussion, and challenges Franciscans in particular to consider choosing patterns of relattionships that strive for the good and beauty in all things.

Genres: Philosophy

240 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2003

Reviews

[Harry Allagree · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first thing to be noted here is that the edition which I read is a paperback, for which Allan Wolter wrote the preface. In fact, the author is Sister Mary Beth Ingham, CSJ.

In the Fall of 1960, in Classroom 206 at St. Charles Seminary, Carthagena, OH, I penned the following poem:

ODE TO DUNS SCOTUS FROM CLASSROOM 206
poor Scotus,
so ignotus,
plagued by Thomist
horn-rimmed protest;
fairly harassed,
oft embarrassed.


bear in mind,
great mastermind:
a theologian’s
homemade notions,
if free-lance,
ain’t got a chance,
notwithstanding
expert handling,
causa pia,
or eudokia.


it’s not too late,
at any rate,
to reconsider
(please don’t be bitter)
this proferred solution
in conclusion:
get real fantastic --
go Scholastic!

My face reddens in rereading this now, beholding the youthful arrogance of a student whose mind had already been brainwashed in the Scholastic philosophical method of St. Thomas Aquinas. I hadn't even read anything by Duns Scotus (still haven't!), but this book surely convinces me that I wish that I had done so.

In mostly understandable language, Ingham systematically reviews the life & context of Scotus & lays out the broad strokes of his philosophy/theology, which he pretty much saw as intricately bound together. Later generations separated the disciplines, much to the the detriment of human understanding, and most likely is the reason for our current situation of modernism & postmodern deconstructionism, which, many submit, isn't a very pretty picture. Ingham makes a case for the relevance of the thinking of John Duns Scotus, not only because of the similarity of the eras in which he lived & we live (13-14th centuries & 21st century) & the problems we have in common, but also because Scotus' vision is compelling & gives relevance, if not answers, to the current unsatisfying mess in which we find ourselves.

Modernism & postmodernism have challenged key elements in philosophy, science, spirituality/religion and, Ingham notes, "In the concrete order, technology now dominates societies, threatening the traditional understanding of human dignity and value…In this moment we cast about for other ways of seeing our reality…In particular, we are in need of a new philosophical anthropology, a new vision of what it means to be human." She goes on to explain that Scotus' Franciscan perspective contains scientific, intellectual, and spiritual aspects which provide an "aesthetic vision of value, framed around rational love as the highest expression of human nature." At the center of Scotus' vision is beauty, and this particular way includes an understanding of the human person, God's nature, the value of creation and how these are all related to each other. It's a way of understanding based on love, beauty, & freedom as expressions of both divine & human rationality. His way is a intellectual & spiritual journey which ultimately helps human beings to "desire to respond freely with a love that is both gratitude and charity." It struck me as interesting that these are the very kind of aspirations displayed by the current Pope, whose name also happens to be Francis.