Tractatus de primo principio

work by Duns Scotus

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July 14, 2026

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The Tractatus de primo principio is a philosophical work by John Duns Scotus, a medieval Franciscan scholar. In this treatise, Duns Scotus presents a metaphysical argument for the existence of God as the primary, unique, and infinite being. He contended that philosophy alone, without Christian revelation, could not fully grasp the human condition or the nature of God. Duns Scotus emphasized the contingency of the universe and its dependence on God's will, elevating the will over the intellect in human beings. His work is considered a significant contribution to medieval Scholasticism and influenced later philosophical thought.12

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Blessed John Duns Scotus
Years at the University of Paris of Blessed John Duns Scotus
The short but important Tractatus de primo principio, a compendium of what reason can prove about God, draws heavily upon the Ordinatio. The remaining authentic works seem to represent questions discussed privately for the benefit of the Franciscan student philosophers or theologians. They include, in addition to the Collationes…
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The short but important Tractatus de primo principio, a compendium of what reason can prove about God, draws heavily upon the Ordinatio. The remaining authentic works seem to represent questions discussed privately for the benefit of the Franciscan student philosophers or theologians. They include, in addition to the Collationes…
Read More