Day 17 in Italy
This site has experienced a range of new visitors this past month, and they deserve an explanation of some of the things that go on here. Some have come looking for detailed discussions about history and philosophy, other for a site telling all about my life. This is neither. I promised an FAQ about Ockham, medieval nominalism, etc. but have as yet not delivered.
The easiest way to get to my site is by searching in google for "jacob allen", where I am usually first. Searches for "jake allen" often have me near the top, but recently have moved me around. "ockhamist", of course, will get you here, but if you can spell that you are able to get here on your own.
Here are some brief explanations:
William of Ockham (Latin: Occam)
Lived 1288 to 1347, a persecuted Englishman living a generation after Thomas Aquinas, this underrecognized Fransiscan philosopher defied papal authority and had a profound inpact on many subjects, including philosophy of science and theology.
an ockhamist
Generally, someone who follows Ockham's teachings, primarily philosophical nominalism.
Nominalism
Although taking many forms, followers generally agree that entities are more real than categories. A negative example, Thomas, a Realist or universalist, says that Fatherhood is more real than Fathers, so that we define each Father against the rule, making a man more Fatherly if he is closer to the ideal of Fatherhood. There are many distinctions within Realism, with the traditional camps being Platonism and Aristotelianism. However, William, a Nominalist, says that Fathers are more real than Fatherhood, and that we define Fatherhood based on how we categorize multiple Fathers.
Ontology
Metaphysics; the knowledge of being or existence. Nominalists and Realists have different views of ontology. Nominalists explain reality by entities (Fathers) while Realists explain reality by categories (Fatherhood), though they often prefer the term universals.
Theological implications
Nominalism and Realism/universalism often transcend the usual theological camps. Christians of all stripes can usually claim one or the other. Roman Catholics, however, are bound to Aristotelian Universalism for some doctrines because the Council of Trent and subsequent teachings leave no room for debate (ie, doctrine of transubstanciation, doctrine of the Church Triumphant). Doctrines of God, however, are often decided by a person's ontology, whether Nominalist, Realist, or some shade inbetween. For example, "what is the realationship between God and Goodness?" Thomas, a Realist, says that His Goodness is reality apart from God's actions; that Goodness is a part of God's "nature". William, a nominalist, says that we humans know Goodness only because of God's actions, and that the actions are more real than the Goodness. William uses Ockham's Razor to explain goodness without talk of "nature".
Ockham's Razor
Philosophical tool; principle of using the simplest explanation.
Why do you have "allies" and "enemies" in your link section?
It is better to know who you are dealing with upfront.
I am off to Venice.
Ciao, friends.
Posted by Jake at January 15, 2004 07:01 AM | TrackBack