The anonymous Parisian prologue to Averroes’ De substantia orbis from the end of the 13th centur Cover Image

The anonymous Parisian prologue to Averroes’ De substantia orbis from the end of the 13th centur
The anonymous Parisian prologue to Averroes’ De substantia orbis from the end of the 13th centur

Author(s): Łukasz Tomanek
Subject(s): Philosophy of Middle Ages, 13th to 14th Centuries
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie
Keywords: Fernand of Spain; University of Paris; philosophy of nature; textual criticism; medieval manuscripts;

Summary/Abstract: The article examines the anonymously preserved prologue to Averroes’ De substantia orbis dat- ing to the end of the 13th century (manuscript Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek Clm 14246, ff. 16r–v, 19rb) and presents its edition. Along with commentaries by Fernand of Spain and Giles of Orléans (lost), this work is a rare witness of the still scarcely known commenting practice of Averroes’ work at the Faculty of Arts in Paris in this period. The codicological and paleographical examination conducted on the manuscript led to establishing the approximate dating and origin of the prologue. Additionally, the doctrinal analysis allowed us to place this opusculum within the context of other similar prologues and commentaries produced in this period. Of significant importance are similarities between the anonymous author and Fernand of Spain, whose prologue to his commentary on De substantia orbis provides an important context for the Anonymous Monacensis. Both works often employ the same examples and consider De substantia orbis the supplement to De caelo et mundo, which was an unusual addi- tion to traditionally established divisio librorum naturalium.

  • Issue Year: XII/2022
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 349-379
  • Page Count: 32
  • Language: English