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God as First Principle and Metaphysics as a Science

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The Medieval Heritage in Early Modern Metaphysics and Modal Theory, 1400–1700

Part of the book series: The New Synthese Historical Library ((SYNL,volume 53))

Abstract

In Aristotelian “first philosophy” (protè philosophia), wisdom is defined as the search for first causes and first principles.1 Thus, first philosophy is defined as the highest, governing science, even before its object has been determined, i.e. before knowing the precise number and the nature of these first principles, whether nature (phusis), being (to on), God, or, as Aristotle himself is inclined to think in Metaphysics VII (Z), ousia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Université François Rabelais, Tours, France

    Joël Biard

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  1. Joël Biard
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Copenhagen, Denmark

    Russell L. Friedman  & Lauge O. Nielsen  & 

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Biard, J. (2003). God as First Principle and Metaphysics as a Science. In: Friedman, R.L., Nielsen, L.O. (eds) The Medieval Heritage in Early Modern Metaphysics and Modal Theory, 1400–1700. The New Synthese Historical Library, vol 53. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-0179-2_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-0179-2_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-6427-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-017-0179-2

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