Science ignorance faith De sui ipsius et multorum ignorantia

Abstract

To understand the sense of conflict between Francesco Petrarch and the four Averroistic youths in De sui ipsius et multorum ignorantia, we must delve deep inside the language and illustrate the depths of the doctrine hidden within. Beginning exactly from this point, the search of an entire library reveals the true consistency of the Averroist doctrine. For Averroè, there is just one intellect for all humanity, of which the newborn child has no personal understanding. For this reason, the newborn child is similar to a senseless animal, or beast. This intellect is formed through the acquisition of scientia, marking the true acquisition of humanity. Man was not born by nature, but by culture, and the ignorant remain in the primate state. Man’s entire life should be dedicated to the acquisition of scientia, because when personal intellect has acquired all knowledge, it will become united with agent intellect, the first of the separate substances. Thenceforth, it will be possible to see into the intellectual vision of God. This is the ultimate end, the greatest good, happiness. It is clear why a conflict exists with Christianity, which states that only through Christ and in another life is it possible to see the vision of God and to reach bliss. Based on this, it is understandable that Petrarch sought answers from a Christian point of view, setting aside his faith in scientia and in all philosophical paths leading to God. The conflict with the Averroist youths reveals the fullness of an historic fracture in anthropology and eschatology, a path, perfection and bliss that are inconsistent with Christianity. In the defence of Christianity, as with scientia, we attribute to philosophy the monopoly of knowledge, claiming a personal intellectual dignity in tune with the Christian faith.