Relation between Superstition and Science in Walter Burley’s Parva Naturalia Commentaries Cover Image

Relacje między zabobonami a wiedzą naukową w komentarzach Waltera Burleya do Parva Naturalia Arystotelesa
Relation between Superstition and Science in Walter Burley’s Parva Naturalia Commentaries

Author(s): Marek Gensler
Subject(s): Philosophy of Middle Ages
Published by: Instytut Tomistyczny
Keywords: Medieval Philosophy;Aristotelianism;Philosophy of nature;

Summary/Abstract: For a modern reader, Walter Burley’s commentaries on Aristotle’s Parva naturalia are a puzzling blend of superstitions and rational arguments. A more detailed analysis of selected issues shows that they are very well integrated within a complex worldview. What is more, the Christian-Aristotelian worldview of those times allowed for critical procedures of data analysis, which enabled scholars of the time to test the everyday beliefs and see whether they can be explained by means of the accepted theories. This way they were able to preserve coherence of the system of knowledge and identify the exceptional cases, which were branded as superstitions.

  • Issue Year: 2017
  • Issue No: XXIII
  • Page Range: 183-196
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: Polish