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Great Thinkers

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St. Bonaventure

  • Born in central Italy
  • Childhood illness
  • Intercession by Francis of Assisi
    • Joins Franciscan Order

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St. Bonaventure

  • God can’t be proved based on logic
    • Who believed this was true?
  • Must use observation
  • God’s creation will reveal Him

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Roger Bacon & William of Ockham

  • Investigators of natural laws
    • Franciscan Order
  • Founders of Western scientific writing
  • Experimental Science
    • Only way to knowledge

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Ockham’s Razor

  • Faith alone
  • Simple answer often best
  • What is observed need not be observed further

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Dante

  • From Florence Italy
  • A Mystery
  • The Comedy
    • Epic Poem

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Experience 1: Beatrice

  • What is the most powerful human experience?
  • Nine years old
  • Later married into rich family
  • Unknown return

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Experience 2: Exile

  • Political Enemy
  • Exiled from Florence
  • Became a wanderer
    • 20 years

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Divine Comedy

  • Dark Forest
    • Wild animals attacking
    • Symbols
  • Trying to rediscover harmony and joy
  • What are people called in stories that lead you along a journey?

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Guide 1: Virgil

  • Represents human reason
  • Hell
  • Purgatory
  • Eden

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Hell/Purgatory

  • People choose things other than God’s love
    • Examples?
  • Reason helps you avoid selfishness
    • And materials
  • Purgatory
    • Virgil shows natural virtues

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Guide 2: Beatrice

  • Represents supernatural revelation and grace
  • Goes to presence of God
    • Complete peace
  • Contrast to start of poem
    • This is life