A arte Luliana e a recepção medieval dos Tópicos de Aristóteles

Abstract

The Aristotelian opposition between demonstrative and probable arguments is reflected in the medieval commentaries that distinguish between dialectical syllogisms, used by the art of persuasion, and the demonstrative syllogisms based on necessary principles, whose knowledge is immediate and per se notum. In a manuscript of Ars demonstrativa, attributed to Ramon Llull, there is a remark about the usage of probable arguments, although they are based on necessary principles. About that, Llull added that naming this work as «demonstrative» might sound slightly «scandalous». However, Llull seems to attest a dilution of the distinction between probable arguments and demonstrative principles, which is possibly related to the Boethian reading of the Topics. Boethius d1efines a list of differentiae which are the terms that link, in the syllogisms, a premise with a necessary conclusion or a general principle. The medieval commentators of the De Topicis differentiis realized that these dialectical places are also applicable to hypothetical syllogisms, which are compounded by conditional premises. Medieval masters made lists of differentiae that include terms such as: opposition, likeness, relation, superior and inferior, authority and trassumptio (the Latin term for metaphor). Ramon Llull shows an indirect reception of the De topicis differentiis of Boethius in the figure T of his Ars, as well as a specific application of the argumentative places in the theological dialogue with other religions. Thus, the evidence of the faith articles, although they are "first principles" and true for themselves, is not accessible to the intellect unless it is proved by probable arguments.