Pierre Ceffons on Divine Simplicity, Part I

Abstract

This is part I of a two-part article presenting an edition of the two questions from the Cistercian Pierre Ceffons’ lectures on distinction 8 of book I of the Sentences, delivered at Paris in the fall of 1348. Although the topic is divine simplicity, necessity, and immutability, Ceffons, as he often does, takes the opportunity to wander off on fascinating tangents. In question 1, treated here, he initially focuses on a debate regarding modal logic, which involves sophismata and supposition theory. Ceffons then moves to the doctrine of the complexe significabile, and to some interesting aspects of divine power and its possible logical and physical limitations. Along the way he displays his awareness of and critical attitude toward recent trends and scholars, such as Gregory of Rimini, John of Mirecourt, Thomas Bradwardine, Nicole Oresme, and John Buridan.