Single Idea 8074

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / B. History of Ideas / 4. Early European Thought]

Full Idea

Bachelors and Masters of Arts who do not follow Aristotle's philosophy are subject to a fine of five shillings for each point of divergence, as well as for infractions of the rules of the Organon.

Clarification

The Organon is Aristotle's books of logic

Gist of Idea

There is a five shilling fine for each point of divergence from the thinking of Aristotle

Source

Oxford Univ 1350 (Oxford University Statutes [1350]), quoted by Keith Devlin - Goodbye Descartes Ch.2

Book Reference

Devlin,Keith: 'Goodbye Descartes: the end of logic' [Wiley 1997], p.21


A Reaction

Lovely quotation! We may defend the medieval period as a genuinely philosophical age, but this sort of statement suggests otherwise, and shows what intellectual heroes the few independent thinkers like William of Ockham really were.