The HYLOGLOB Reading Group is a collaborative framework focused on later medieval hylomorphism. Meeting monthly on Zoom, the group delves into the theories of the ontological constitution of physical beings formulated in the 16th century, their medieval sources, and their cross-cultural impact on the exegesis of non-European natural theories. Each meeting focuses on a primary source (with draft translations pre-circulated a week before the meeting) and discusses systematically the main claims and arguments proposed by the author:

(1) exegetically, in connection to the Scholastic debate

(2) holistically, considering the overall theory formulated by the considered author

(3) comparatively, in relation to the direct and/or indirect impact of the claim on the interpretation of non-European theories in China and colonial America

Starting in November 2023, the first part of the HYLOGLOB Reading Group is dedicated to Francisco de Toledo (Franciscus Toletus, 1532-1596), a pivotal Jesuit thinker that influenced profoundly the later tradition. After having examined Toletus’s central questions on matter, form, and the elements, the Reading Group will move on to analyse the theories of another influential Jesuit philosopher, Pedro da Fonseca.

If you want to know more about the HYLOGLOB Reading Group or a interested in joining our discussion, feel free to get in touch with Nicola Polloni.

[Preliminary programme]

November 2023
Francisco de Toledo, In Phys. I.7, qq. 12-13: Utrum materia sit; An materia sit substantia.

December 2023
Francisco de Toledo, In Phys. I.7, qq. 14-16: An potentia sit de essentia materiae; An aliquid sit in materia manens in mutatione; An materia sit ingenerabilis et incorruptibilis.

January 2023
Francisco de Toledo, In Phys. I.7-9, qq. 17-20: An materia appetat formam; Quae sunt nomina materiae; An aliquid formae praefuerit in materia; An materia sit causa corruptionis an forma.

February 2023
Francisco de Toledo, In DGC I.3, q. 4 and I.4, q. 7: An substantia suscipiat magis et minus; An in corruptione fiat resolutio usque in primam materiam.

March 2023
Francisco de Toledo, In DGC I.10, qq. 17-19: An elementa maneant formaliter in mixto; An elementa maneant in mixto secundum suas qualitates; An mixtio sit possibilis.

April 2023
Francisco de Toledo, In DGC II.1, qq. 1-2: An quatuor qualitates sint elementorum formae substantiales; An sint tantum quatuor primae qualitates.

May 2023
Pedro da Fonseca, In Metaph. A.2, qq. 2-3: Sit ne vera in rebus naturalibus materia prima; Sint ne inter materiam primam et accidentia ponende formae substantiales.

June 2023
Pedro da Fonseca, In Metaph. Δ.2, qq. 1, 3-4: Quaenam sit ratio causandi materia; Num materia in suo esse pendeat a forma et vicissim forma a materia; Quid sit formam educi de potentia materiae.