Structures of Materiality: Roger Bacon and the Conundrum of Prime Matter

Reading Group, HU Berlin (DE)

Summer Semester 2019

Rethinking matter

How does alteration happen? How can processes of alteration be supposed between entities which are not in contact? And what is that thing we call ‘matter’? The reading group will engage with theories of causation elaborated by one of the most original and curious medieval thinkers: Roger Bacon (ca. 1214-1292). The group will read Bacon’s On the Multiplication of Species (De multiplicatione specierum), a fascinating work in which Bacon discussed his theory of causal irradiation of essential contents by (almost) every corporeal and incorporeal being. In an intriguing intertwining of ontology, psychology and epistemology, Bacon’s doctrine of the multiplication of species attempts at providing a unitary theory mostly grounded on the interaction among physical entities. One pivotal aspect, though, appears to be crucially problematic on this regard: the exceptionality of prime matter. Examination and discussion of the theoretical implications of Bacon’s theory of matter and materiality will display both originality and ingenuity of Bacon’s attempt at establishing a positive ground in which natural processes can lay.

Instructor

Reader
Nicola Polloni

Bibliography

Roger Bacon, De multiplicatione specierum, ed. Lindberg, Roger Bacon’s Philosophy of Nature, Oxford 1983. Additional material will be provided during the reading group.

A selected and updated bibliography on Roger Bacon can be found online at this link.

Programme

The reading group will meet periodically on Friday at 11am, sine tempore. After lunch, invited scholars will give lectures and talks on themes related to the topics examined by the reading group. These medieval after-lunch gatherings will take place at 2.30pm in Invalidenstrasse. Due to academic reasons, the reading group will not follow a regular calendar! Further changes may be adopted in agreement with the participants. More info are available at this link.

Friday, 12 April 2019, Room 231
Introduction to Roger Bacon’s ontology and epistemology.

Friday, 26 April 2019, Room 231
Reading of De multiplicatione specierum, pt. 1

Friday, 3 May 2019,Room 231
Reading of De multiplicatione specierum, pt. 1

Friday, 10 May 2019, Room 231
Reading of De multiplicatione specierum, pt. 1

Friday, 17 May 2019,  Room 231
Reading of De multiplicatione specierum, pt. 1

Tuesday, 11 June 2019, Room 231
Reading of De multiplicatione specierum, pt. 1

Friday, 14 June 2019, Room 231
Reading of De multiplicatione specierum, pt. 2

Friday, 21 June 2019, Room 231
Reading of De multiplicatione specierum, pt. 2

Tuesday, 5 July 2019, Room 231
Reading of De multiplicatione specierum, pt. 2

Friday, 12 July 2019, Room 231
Final remarks on Roger Bacon’s De multiplicatione specierum