this issue
previous article in this issuenext article in this issue

Document Details :

Title: The Anonymous Commentary on the Physics in Erfurt, Cod. Amplon. Q. 312, and Rufus of Cornwall
Author(s): DONATI, Silvia
Journal: Recherches de Théologie et Philosophie Médiévales
Volume: 72    Issue: 2   Date: 2005   
Pages: 232-362
DOI: 10.2143/RTPM.72.2.2004137

Abstract :
Recent scholarship has drawn increasing attention to the role of the English master Richard Rufus of Cornwall in the early thirteenth-century reception of the «New Aristotle» in the Latin West. In 2003 Rega Wood published an anonymous commentary on Aristotle’s Physics (Erfurt, CA Q. 312), which she attributes to Richard Rufus of Cornwall. According to Wood, this commentary originated in lectures given by Rufus at the Arts Faculty of Paris in the mid 1230s and thus represents the earliest known witness to lectures on Aristotle’s Physics at Paris after the interdictions of 1210, 1215, 1231. This article analyzes in detail Wood’s arguments in favour of Rufus’ authorship (references to a Physics commentary in Rufus’ Metaphysics commentary, quotations by other authors, doctrinal parallels with Rufus’ works). It concludes that the anonymous commentary certainly belongs to the early English commentary tradition on the Physics and was influential on mid-thirteenth-century English commentators, but that Rega Wood has not conclusively proved her claim for Rufus’ authorship.

Download article