William of Ockham 'A Letter to the Friars Minor' and Other Writings [Paperback]

The key ideas on authority of a powerful and historically important thinker.William of Ockham (c.1285-1347) was responsible for the widely held modern assumption that religious and secular-political institutions should operate independently of one another. His departure from tradition resulted in a tragic collision between two specifically Christian ideals.William of Ockham (c.1285-1347) was responsible for the widely held modern assumption that religious and secular-political institutions should operate independently of one another. His departure from tradition resulted in a tragic collision between two specifically Christian ideals.More than any other single thinker, William of Ockham (c.1285-1347) is responsible for the widely held modern assumption that religious and secular-political institutions should operate independently of one another. His point of departure was a tragic collision between two specifically Christian ideals: that of St. Francis and that of a society guided by the single supreme authority of the Pope. This volume begins with his personal account of his engagement in that conflict and continues with essential passages from the major works in which he attempted to resolve it.1. A Letter to the Friars Minor; The Work of Ninety Days; 2. A Dialogue; 3. Eight Questions on the Power of the Pope. The editor and translator have done their work excellently. The introductions of McGrade are clear and concise, the translations of Kilcullen fluent and accurate, and the footnotes provide material that will be helpful to a stdent without being too intrusive....a fine achievement. All students of medieval history and the history of political thought should be grateful... The Catholic Historical Review ...an exemplary addition to the study of late medieval thought. One would hope that more of Ockham's theological and philosophical treatises would undergo similarly outstanding editing and translating. Christianity and Literature This translation constilcM