Trinitarian Missions And The Order Of Grace According To Thomas Aquinas

Abstract

The discussion of the problem of the knowability of substance is one that begins in the High Middle Ages and continued until the emergence of Modern philosophy. Though the topic is broached in various ways by different authors at different periods, this chapter traces the discussion as it takes place in the second half of the thirteenth century and leads in the direction of the thought of Duns Scotus. It focuses upon five authors—Eustachius of Arras, Giles of Rome, Richard of Mediavilla, James of Viterbo and Vital du Four. The chapter gives an overview of the issues raised regarding the knowability of substance down to the time of Scotus, concentrating, for most part, on authors who are either Franciscans or Augustinians. It begins its historical excursion by tracing the immediate background to the discussion of the knowability of substance in the thought of Thomas Aquinas and Roger Bacon. Keywords:Eustachius of Arras; Giles of Rome; James of Viterbo; knowability of substance; modern philosophy; Richard of Mediavilla; Roger Bacon; Thomas Aquinas; Vital Du Four