“General Moral Principles in Medieval Thought” by visiting Scholar, Dr. Alexander Stöpfgeshoff

2:30 PM
BMH 101

The Philosophy Department presents "General Moral Principles in Medieval Thought" by visiting scholar Alexander Stöpfgeshoff, Friday, November 29 at 2:30 PM in Brian Mulroney Hall room 101.

The role of moral principles in ethical thought is highly debated in contemporary philosophy. The debate is formed by two contrasting views: generalism and particularism. The generalist holds that general moral principles play a necessary role for right action. The particularist instead denies the necessary role of such principles. This talk focuses on the medieval discussion of moral rules and principles in light of this contrast. It will explore the accounts of Thomas Aquinas, Godfrey of Fontaines, and John Duns Scotus. I will argue that Aquinas’s account of moral rules and moral principles ought to be categorized as a form of generalism and that Godfrey and Scotus maintain a more particularist perspective. The talk will also address some of the methodological issues in applying contemporary moral notions to historical debates.