Rozdział rozumu i wiary w XIV wieku

Abstract

In the 14th century, because of various social and religious reasons, the Church’s influence on both theology and science weakened considerably. The so-called via moderna constituted a new way of doing theology. Voluntaristic and nominalistic trends, initiated by John Duns Scotus and developed by William Ockham, emphasized, on the one hand, the inapplicability of our concepts to God and, on the other hand, complete God’s freedom in creating the Universe. As a consequence, empirical studies of the world became more and more important. In this context, the works of Jean Buridan, Nicole Oresme and Nicolas of Cusa deserve a special mention. Together with the role of experiments, also the role of mathematics was increasing. Nicolas of Cusa attempted even to apply to theology some kind of mathematical reasoning. In general, however, the 14th century witnessed a systematic separation of science and theology. It is not yet an opposition, but rather the lack of common elements.