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Single Idea 22130

[filed under theme 11. Knowledge Aims / C. Knowing Reality / 1. Perceptual Realism / b. Direct realism ]

Full Idea

Scotus allocated to the intellect a direct, existential awareness of the intelligible object, called 'intuitive cognition', in contrast to abstractive knowledge, which seized the object independently of its presence to the intellect in actual existence.

Gist of Idea

Scotus defended direct 'intuitive cognition', against the abstractive view

Source

report of John Duns Scotus (works [1301]) by Stephen D. Dumont - Duns Scotus p.206

Book Ref

'Shorter Routledge Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Craig,Edward [Routledge 2005], p.206


A Reaction

Presumably if you see a thing, shut your eyes and then know it, that is 'abstractive'. Scotus says open your eyes for proper knowledge.


The 11 ideas from 'works'

The concept of being has only one meaning, whether talking of universals or of God [Duns Scotus, by Dumont]
Being (not sensation or God) is the primary object of the intellect [Duns Scotus, by Dumont]
Augustine's 'illumination' theory of knowledge leads to nothing but scepticism [Duns Scotus, by Dumont]
Duns Scotus was a realist about universals [Duns Scotus, by Dumont]
Scotus said a substantial principle of individuation [haecceitas] was needed for an essence [Duns Scotus, by Dumont]
Avicenna and Duns Scotus say essences have independent and prior existence [Duns Scotus, by Dumont]
Certainty comes from the self-evident, from induction, and from self-awareness [Duns Scotus, by Dumont]
Scotus defended direct 'intuitive cognition', against the abstractive view [Duns Scotus, by Dumont]
The will retains its power for opposites, even when it is acting [Duns Scotus, by Dumont]
The concept of God is the unique first efficient cause, final cause, and most eminent being [Duns Scotus, by Dumont]
We can't infer the infinity of God from creation ex nihilo [Duns Scotus, by Dumont]