QUADERNI DI NOCTUA
La tradizione filosofica dall’antico al moderno. Studi e testi
History of Philosophy from the Ancient to the Modern Age. Studies and Editions
Autore / Author: Fabrizio Amerini
Affiliazione / Author affiliation: Università degli Studi di Parma
Titolo / Title: Guglielmo di Ockham, l’onnipotenza divina e l’intuizione del non-esistente
Abstract: In this essay, we reconsider two themes particularly discussed by the interpreters of Ockham: that of divine omnipotence and the hypothesis of the intuitive cognition of non-existent things. The purpose is to show that the hypothetical case considered by Ockham was subjected to opposite interpretations. For theological reasons, Ockham attributes not only to God but also to human beings the possibility of having acts of intuitive cognition of things that do not exist; nonetheless, he holds that it is contradictory for God to give us the evident cognition of things that appear to be present when they are actually absent. Walter Chatton opposes this conclusion, arguing that no contradiction ensues from that hypothesis. Instead, he believes that it is impossible for God to give us the intuition of things that absolutely do not exist or are in no way present to us. Ockham’s arguments include some difficulties that Chatton acutely sees and discusses. In particular, Chatton calls into question Ockham’s missed distinction between the existence and the presence of the intuited thing.
Keywords: William of Ockham; Walter Chatton; God; omnipotence; intuition; existence.
English title: William of Ockham, Divine omnipotence and the Intuition of the Non-Existent
DOI: 10.14640/QuadernidiNoctua5-21
Volume: 5
Pagine / Pages: 812-877
Pubblicazione / Publication date: 01/02/2019
Permalink: https://dx.doi.org/10.14640/QuadernidiNoctua5-21
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ISSN 2723-9225