Nicholas of Autrecourt: a skepticism independent of divine intervention and a theory of knowledge

• Grant number: 14/19581-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2014
• End date: October 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Philosophy - History of Philosophy
• Principal Investigator: José Carlos Estêvão
• Grantee: Gabriela Navarro Chagas Soares
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Nicholas of Autrecourt, in correspondence with Bernard of Arezzo (much of his remaining works), presented positions that were known for their arguments clearly inclined to a skeptical thought. More than that, the skeptic thought of Nicholas had the distinction of deriving only from logical and rational thinking, in contrast to the skeptical argument of divine intervention in nature discussed at the time. Nevertheless, all the work of Nicholas preserved until today demonstrates a clear concern with seeking and establishing solid truths that would ensure reliability and allow the outlining of the principles of human knowledge. Is it possible to reconcile a skepticism logically founded and independent of the hypothesis of divine intervention, with a careful theory of knowledge?