NOCTUA
La tradizione filosofica dall’antico al moderno
History of Philosophy from the Ancient to the Modern Age
Autore / Author: Roberto Pinzani
Affiliazione / Author affiliation: Università degli Studi di Parma
Titolo / Title: Sull’ontologia di Gilberto Porretano
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 the one found in the logical commentaries. Gilbert’s ontological catalog is quite varied: there are special, general and differential subsistences which are called by name: ‘humanity’, ‘animality’ (or ‘being man’ ‘being animal’), ‘rationality’. We then have all the qualitative and quantitative determinations which 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 which Gilbert speaks little about and not always in 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 decide to choose one, whilst providing interesting possible strategies for some of them.
Keywords: Gilbert of Poitiers; Boethius; ontology; substances; properties.
English title: On Gilbert of Poitiers’ Ontology
DOI: 10.14640/NoctuaI6
Anno / Volume: I
Fascicolo / Issue: 2
Pagine / Pages: 209-259
Pubblicazione / Publication date: 01/08/2014
Permalink: https://dx.doi.org/10.14640/NoctuaI6
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ISSN 2284-1180