Vent'Anni di Studi Scotisti (1920-1940) by Efrem Bettoni, O.F.M. (review)

BOOK REVIEWS515 Vent'Anni di Studi Scotisti (1920-1940). By Father Efrem Bettoni, O.RM. {Quaderni della Revista di Filosofia Neoscholastica). Milan: Direzione e Redazione, 1943. Pp. 105. As the title indicates, Father Bettoni essays to give a survey of Scotistic research during the past two decades. Bringing up to date the similar bibliographical contributions of Minges, Longpré, Freudenreich, Simonis and others, the author presents a composite study of the more important conclusions arrived at rather than a detailed analysis of any particular work. In this way his bibliographical study complements the recent work of Father Maurice Grajewski, O.F.M, with its alphabetical arrangement of authors [see Franciscan Studies, XXII-XXIII (1942-1943)], and has the advantage of offering an overall picture of the more important developments in contemporary Scotism. Father Bettoni divides his survey into four parts. The first deals with the life of Duns Scotus. The results of the studies of Callebaut, Longpré, Little and Pelster are presented in résumé. The second section is particularly valuable , dealing as it does with the authenticity of the various works attributed to Scotus. Particular attention is devoted to the controversy between Balic, Longpré and Deodat Basly regarding the Theoremata. A short but excellent summary of the arguments pro and con is included. The third section, covering some 46 pages, discusses contemporary studies on the philosophy of John Duns under the triple heading of "Ethics," "Theodicy" and "The Significance of Scotism." The fourth part treats the theological doctrines of the Subtle Doctor. It is broken down into some dozen headings, including; "Nature and the Supernatural," "On God, One and Triune," "Christology," "Grace," "Mariology," "Sacramental Theology," "Theological and Moral Virtues." The only notable defect of the work, perhaps, is the failure to include some of the important studies published just previous to, or during, the war years. Undoubtedly these were unavailable to the author at that time. However, this does not detract seriously from the value of this work, which cannot be too highly recommended to students of medieval thought in general and that of the Franciscan School in particular. Allan B. Woltbr, OJFM. Franciscan Institute, St. Bonaventure, N. Y. ...