Duns Scotus (Great Medieval Thinkers)

Rating:
Summary: Agreed!
Review: Couldn't agree more with review below! Analytic philosophy almost invariably failes to grasp the uniqueness of historical philosophers; instead they seem to view the history of philosophy as a great catalogue of mistakes where theres not a whole lot to draw inspiration from. This is just sad.

Rating:
Summary: Too little Scotus; too much Cross
Review: I bought the book hoping that I would get a clear explanation of Scotus' views from within. Instead I found an exposition of an analytic philosophers contracted views on Scotus. To be blunt, Cross should not presume that the reader cares about his views in a work that purports to expound Scotus' views. I find this to be a common defect amongst the analytic philosophers, who seem intent upon telling us that we can make good use mediaeval philosophy, but fail to see that they themselves are peripheral to that ressourcement. I give it three stars for the sake of Duns Scotus, not for the sake of Cross. Beware also his work on the Physics of Duns Scotus, unless, that is, you are an analytic philosopher.

Rating:
Summary: Stunner
Review: This is an extremely thorough and interesting book. Cross puts personality into each page, demonstrating why the debates are important and whether Scotus's solutions to some of the great questions are likely to hold within the context of medieval debates. The book is illuminating even to a non-specialist with an interest in finding out more about Duns Scotus. This is the best introduction to the subject.