Between Faith and Knowledge: "Theological Knowledge" in Gregory of Rimini and his Fourteenth-Century Context

Thesis advisor: Jean-Luc SolèreThis dissertation pursues a philosophical analysis of the epistemic claims of the discipline of theology--a intellectual discipline whose unique identity was being crafted in the high and late Middle Ages. In particular, this study focuses on how the theologian can both rely on "faith" and "authority" while also claiming to acquire a kind of knowledge that the simple believer does not have. The prologue to Sentences Commentary of the Augustinian, Gregory of Rimini, is the focal point of the dissertation, since the "prologue" is the typical place for theologians to philosophically reflect on the nature of their discipline. However, Rimini will be considered carefully in light of his fourteenth-century context. The study will look specifically at those thinkers Rimini directly engages with: namely, Aquinas, Duns Scotus, Peter Aureoli, William of Ockham and Adam Wodeham. But, in light of Rimini's status as an Augustinian hermit, the study will also be attentive to the tradition of Augustinian theologians that precede Rimini; most notably, this is Giles of Rome, star pupil of Aquinas and the intellectual father of the Augustinian Order.Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2012.Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.Discipline: Philosophy