Abstract
This is a study of how the doctrine of impositio, the endowing of terms and propositions with a new signification, was treated in English obligationes texts from Walter Burley to the end of the fourteenth century. I show that in Burley and Ockham the rules for impositio were closely linked to the solution of insolubilia, but that this emphasis disappeared. I also show that Burley’s doctrines were more honoured on the European continent than in England. I then examine the different doctrines of subsequent English logicians and how they were applied to selected sophismata. Here Roger Swyneshed and Richard Brinkley are particularly important, the first because of his nova responsio, and the second because of his doctrine that speakers can change imposition at will.
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Notes
- 1.
The editors of the Summa logicae discuss the authenticity of both tracts (SL, OPh I, 41*–43*), but conclude that they are genuine.
- 2.
Alfonso Maierù’s unpublished edition of Strode’s Insolubilia, based on three manuscripts, shows that Strode referred to “Eland,” and Stephen Read has recently found further evidence that this is the correct version of the name.
- 3.
For manuscripts and editions see Ashworth (2015, 374–375).
- 4.
Subsequent citations to Strode are to the sections of my unpublished edition.
- 5.
See Brinkley (Obligationes, 1–2) for an examination of the evidence.
- 6.
Anonymus, Obligationes cum insolubilibus, f. 49 rb: “Et hec dicta de regulis et suppositionibus sufficiant, habitis regulis et suppositionibus obligationum in hac pertinente.”
- 7.
Brinkley, Obligationes §1: “Post insolubilia sequuntur obligationes. Cuius ordinis haec est causa quod multae obligationes ex principiis insolubilium sunt solvendae.”
- 8.
The treatise ends with the name “Johannes Ecaf” or “Eclif,” but no author with that name has been identified.
- 9.
- 10.
Burley, De Obligationibus, 3.84: “[…] omnes responsiones retorquendae sunt ad idem instans.”
- 11.
For discussion of its nature and influence see Ashworth (1996).
- 12.
The translation “conventional” is inaccurate, since ad placitum signification is first instituted at the pleasure of the original impositor (or impositors), and can only then become conventional.
- 13.
Swyneshed, Obligationes §21: “Propter impositionem alicujus propositionis ad illam non est responsio varianda.”
- 14.
Brinkley, Obligationes §9: “[…] cum iste terminus ‘A’ sit significativus ad placitum, in arbitrio eorum est cui intentioni in anima voluerint eam subordinare.”
- 15.
Brinkley, Obligationes §27: “Propter impositionem novam factam circa propositionem est responsio ad eam varianda.”
- 16.
Anonymus, De insolubilibus, 33: “[…] ubicumque est nova impositio pro tanto est responsio varianda.”
- 17.
Alfonso Maierù kindly sent me this section of his unpublished edition of the Introductio.
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Ashworth, E.J. (2017). Burley, Ockham, and English Logicians on Impositio as a Type of Obligatio . In: Pelletier, J., Roques, M. (eds) The Language of Thought in Late Medieval Philosophy. Historical-Analytical Studies on Nature, Mind and Action, vol 5. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66634-1_15
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