Human Action in Thomas Aquinas, John Duns Scotus, and William of Ockham

Contents

vii Contents Acknowledgments ix A Note on the Texts xi Introduction xiii 1. Causes of the Act 1 Thomas Aquinas 5 John Duns Scotus 19 William of Ockham 44 Trajectory of the Positions 56 2. Practical Reason 61 Thomas Aquinas 64 John Duns Scotus 80 William of Ockham 91 Practical Knowledge, Prudence, and the Practical Syllogism 103 3. The Stages of the Act 109 The Aristotelian Background 110 Thomas Aquinas 113 John Duns Scotus and William of Ockham 132 Additions and Changes to Aristotle 145 4. Evaluation and Specification of the Act 149 Thomas Aquinas 154 John Duns Scotus 166 William of Ockham 175 Object, End, Circumstances 182 5. Indifferent, Good, and Meritorious Acts 185 Natural and Moral Goodness 186 Morally Good, Bad, and Indifferent 192 Merit, Demerit, and Indifference to Merit 200 The Shift to the Interior Act 218 Conclusion 221 Bibliography 229 Index 247 viii ...