Richard Rufus of Cornwall: Scriptum in Metaphysicam Aristotelis: Alpha to Epsilon

Richard Rufus of Cornwall's 1238 commentary on Aristotle's Metaphysics is a significant contribution to Western philosophy and the study of Aristotle, addressing questions such as truth, eternal truths, prime matter, and corruptible and incorruptible substances. It influenced Rufus's views on truth, while his treatment of eternal truths was influenced by Robert Grosseteste. His views on prime matter were influenced by Averroes and Augustine, but he displayed independence and originality of thought. The Scriptum's exposition of Aristotle and its exciting questions date from 35 years before Thomas Aquinas wrote his commentary, and its publication will prompt a re-evaluation of the development of metaphysics in the Latin West. It was a highly influential work that had a significant impact on the views of Adam Buckfield and Albert the Great.

Format: Hardback
Length: 786 pages
Publication date: 05 May 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

This is the first great commentary in the Western European tradition of expounding Aristotle's Metaphysics, dated around 1238. Written by Richard Rufus of Cornwall, this work is a significant contribution to the history of Western philosophy and the study of Aristotle. It addresses various questions, including the nature of truth, the existence of eternal truths, the concept of prime matter, and the differences between corruptible and incorruptible substances. Rufus's views on truth were influenced by Anselm, while his treatment of eternal truths was influenced by Robert Grosseteste. His views on prime matter, however, were shaped by his reading of Averroes and his understanding of the Aristotelian tradition, as well as the influence of Augustine. Despite his debt to the Aristotelian tradition, Rufus displays independence and originality of thought throughout the Scriptum. The Scriptum's exposition of Aristotle and its intriguing questions predates Thomas Aquinas' commentary on the Metaphysics by approximately 35 years. Its publication will likely lead to a reassessment of the development of metaphysics in the Latin West. The extensive notes included in this edition indicate that it was a highly influential work that significantly shaped the views of two of the most prominent early Aristotle commentators, Adam Buckfield and Albert the Great.

Weight: 1366g
Dimension: 162 x 241 x 50 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197266908