Research Catalog

Title

Divine power and possibility in St. Peter Damian's De divina omnipotentia / by Irven Michael Resnick.

Author

Resnick, Irven M.

Publication

Leiden ; New York ; Köln : E.J. Brill, 1992.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

vi, 128 pages; 24 cm.

Summary

Contemporary critics have argued that medieval philosophers have transmitted a concept of divine omnipotence that is unintelligible and self-contradictory: one which defines omnipotence as a power capable of producing any effect whatsoever. This study, concentrating upon the first Latin treatise explicitly devoted to omnipotence, places the concept of divine power in its patristic and early medieval context in order to demonstrate that this 'traditional' concept of omnipotence was quite unknown among pre-scholastic figures. This work illuminates the patristic and early medieval background to Damian's seminal text and its theological and philosophical concerns. It explores Damian's central argument that God can, if he wills, even annul the past. This conclusion stems from Damian's insistence that divinity's primary attribute is Goodness and not Being. As such, God's power remains constrained only by divine goodness and is able to do anything whatsoever, even effect a logical contradiction, if it is good to do so. Of special interest to medievalists and historians of philosophy, this work may also make a contribution to contemporary debate.

Series Statement

Studien und Texte zur Geistesgeschichte des Mittelalters ; Band XXXI

Uniform Title

Studien und Texte zur Geistesgeschichte des Mittelalters ; Bd. 31.

Subject

• Peter Damian, Saint, 1007?-1072
• Petrus Kardinal, Heiliger 1007-1072
• Malory, Thomas, Sir, active 15th century
• Peter Damian, Saint, 1007?-1072 > Theology
• Peter Damian, Saint, 1007?-1072$xOmnipotence
• Pierre Damien (saint ; 1007-1072)
• Petrus <Damiani>
• De divina omnipotentia
• 600-1500
• God (Christianity) > Omnipotence > History of doctrines > Middle Ages, 600-1500
• Contradiction
• God > Omnipotence > History of doctrines > Middle Ages, 600-1500
• Allmacht Gottes
• Biografie
• Theologie
• De divina omnipotentia (Petrus Damianus)
• Filosofia cristã
• Atributos de deus
• God > Omnipotence > History of doctrine > Middle Ages, 600-1500
• Fathers of the church, Latin
• Dieu > Omnipotence > Histoire des doctrines > Moyen âge
• Dieu > Histoire des doctrines > Moyen âge

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. [115]-124) and indexes.

Contents

Importance and historical influence of De divina omnipotentia -- Peter Damian's life and works. Early years and entrance into the monastery ; Reform and service to the papacy ; The works of Peter Damian -- Historical examinations of the doctrine of omnipotence. Scripture and the early church ; A philosophical view of omnipotence ; The later medieval tradition -- The theological concerns of Peter Damian's De divina omnipotentia. A précis of De divina omnipotentia ; The concerns of the monastic reformer ; The discussion ; Restoration juxta carnem ; Restoration juxta meritum ; The philosophical context of De divina omnipotentia ; Virginity and the good ; Divine power and the good -- The possibility of undoing the past. The status of the past ; Annulling the past as a contradiction of God's will ; The necessity of events ; God in His eternal present ; The laws of nature -- Summary and conclusions.

ISBN

• 9004095721
• 9789004095724

LCCN

91043923

OCLC

• ocm24908724
• 24908724
• SCSB-1955665

Owning Institutions

Princeton University Library