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The definitive exploration of how medieval and early modern thinkers answered philosophy's most fundamental question: what makes an individual truly individual?
What makes an individual this particular being rather than another? This deceptively simple question—known as the problem of individuation—stood at the heart of medieval metaphysics and shaped the trajectory of Western philosophy.
Individuation in Scholasticism, edited by Jorge J. E. Gracia, offers the most comprehensive exploration available of this enduring philosophical problem. Bringing together sixteen distinguished scholars, this volume traces the evolution of theories of individuation across Latin, Islamic, and Jewish traditions, illuminating a rich intellectual dialogue that spans five centuries.
From Avicenna and Averroes to Aquinas, Scotus, Ockham, and Suárez, the contributors examine how major thinkers and schools confronted questions of identity, unity, and difference. Each chapter provides rigorous analysis grounded in historical context, revealing both the diversity of scholastic approaches and their profound influence on early modern philosophy, including Leibniz.
Bridging traditions, periods, and methodologies, this volume fills a critical gap in the study of metaphysics and medieval thought. It is an indispensable resource for scholars and students seeking to understand how the concept of individuality was forged, contested, and transmitted across generations.
"This is one of the most extensive treatments of individuation in any language."— Robert J. Spitzer, Seattle University
"Gracia has assembled an impressive group of scholars to discuss the work of leading medieval figures on the problem of individuation. All sixteen contributors are seasoned scholars. They speak authoritatively in a field that requires considerable learning and linguistic ability. No major medieval philosopher or school has been neglected. It is amazing that Gracia has been able to marshall the talent represented." — Jude P. Dougherty, Dean, The Catholic University of America
"I read through every page of it and I was not disappointed. It fills a real gap with regard to knowledge of the problem and its history in the development of metaphysics." — Oliva Blanchette, Boston College
Jorge J. E. Gracia is Professor of Philosophy, State University of New York at Buffalo. He is author of Individuality and Philosophy and Its History and is co-editor of Philosophy and Literature in Latin America and Individuation and Identity in Early Modern Philosophy, all published by SUNY Press. He is Series Editor for the SUNY Series in Latin American and Iberian Thought and Culture.
Prologue
1. Introduction: The Problem of Individuation
Jorge J. E. Gracia
2. The Legacy of the Early Middle Ages
Jorge J. E. Gracia
3. The Islamic Background: Avicenna (b. 980; d. 1037) and Averroes (b. 1126; d. 1198)
Allan Bäck
4. The Jewish Tradition: Maimonides (b. 1135; d. 1204), Gersonides (b. 1288; d. 1344), and Bedersi (b. 1270; d. 1340)
Tamar M. Rudavsky
5. Albert the Great (b. 1200; d. 1280)
Jeremiah M. G. Hackett
6. Roger Bacon (b. ca. 1214/20; d. 1292)
Jeremiah M. G. Hackett
7. Bonaventure (b. ca. 1216; d. 1274)
Peter O. King
8. Thomas Aquinas (b. ca. 1225; d. 1274)
Joseph Owens
9. Henry of Ghent (b. ca. 1217; d. 1293)
Stephen F. Brown
10. Godfrey of Fontaines (b. ca. 1250; d. 1306/09), Peter of Auvergne (d. 1303), and John Baconthorpe (d. 1345/48)
John F. Wippel
11. James of Viterbo (b. ca. 1255; d. 1308)
John F. Wippel
12. John Duns Scotus (b. ca. 1265; d. 1308)
Allan B. Wolter
13. Hervaeus Natalis (b. 1250/60; d. 1323) and Richard of Mediavilla (b. 1245/49; d. 1302/07)
Mark G. Henninger
14. Durand of Saint Pourçain (b. ca. 1270; d. 1334)
Mark G. Henninger
15. Henry of Harclay (b. ca. 1270; d. 1317)
Mark G. Henninger
16. Walter Burley (b. ca. 1275; d. 1344 or later)
Ivan Boh
17. William of Ockham (b. ca. 1285; d. 1347)
Armand A. Maurer
18. Jean Buridan (b. ca. 1295/1300; d. after 1358)
Peter O. King
19. Cardinal Cajetan (Thomas De Vio) (b. 1468; d. 1534) and Giles of Rome (b. ca. 1243/47; d. 1316)
Linda Peterson
20. Chrysostom Javellus (b. 1472; d. 1538) and Francis Sylvester Ferrara (b. 1474; d. 1526)
Mauricio Beuchot
21. Francis Suárez (b. 1548; d. 1617)
Jorge J. E. Gracia
22. John of Saint Thomas (b. 1589; d. 1644)
Jorge J. E. Gracia and John Kronen
23. The Scholastic Background of Modern Philosophy: Entitas and Individuation in Leibniz
Ignacio Angelelli
Epilogue: Individuation in Scholasticism
Jorge J. E. Gracia
Bibliography
Sigla
Contributors
Index of Authors
Index of Subjects