Chapter 16
William of Ockham unequal offices and rank should be given to those who are equals and similars in virtue.
Chapter 16 Student The arguments above in chapters 12 and 13 seem to militate especially against this mode. It is shown there that no one should be promoted over all the faithful unless he excels them all in virtue and wisdom, and the opposite of this is held by this mode of assertion. So relate how those arguments are answered.
Master To the arguments brought forward in chapter 12 it is answered that, as 4 rule, when someone is found who surpasses and excels all others in virtue and wisdom, he should be promoted to be highest pontiff, and, as a rule, those who knowingly pass over such a person commit sin and would deserve to be deprived of the power of electing; the texts brought forward speak with reference to this case. But when no such person is found but many are similar and equal in virtue and wisdom, then such a person should not be elected, since there is no one such, and yet the election should not for this reason be deferred until such a person is found; it is enough then to elect one of those who are equal or similar in wisdom and virtue, having regard to something else that in some way recommends him.
Student I think I understand that answer. However, I do not know how that opinion explains the texts advanced above in chapter 12, which seem to militate strongly against it. So run briefly through them and say how they interpret them.
Master To the text that says that someone should be elected in relation to whom the rest are called a flock, it is answered that it can have a true sense in two ways. One is that when someone is elected, such a person should be elected in relation to whom the others, good and bad, can rightly be called a flock. The other is that (because bad people are always found in the Church) such a person should always be elected in relation to whom the rest, i€., the bad, are called a flock; however, it is not always possible to elect someone in relation to whom those who are outstanding in wisdom and virtue can be called a flock.
& That is, [2] in chapter 11 {p. 248 above).
A Dialogue, Part ut, Tract 1 To the text quoted in 1, q.
1, c. Mélisstemus, it is answered that a prelate must be thought most contemptible, ic. very base, unless he greatly excels the bad and unworthy in honor, knowledge, and holiness, but he should not be thought most contemptible if he does not excel in knowledge, and holiness even those who are outstanding in wisdom and virtue."
To the third, which is by Jerome, it is answered that when there is someone more outstanding, holier, etc., he should be elected to the priesthood; when, however, there is no such person, it is enough to elect someone more outstanding, holier, more learned, and more eminent in every virtue than all the bad and foolish among the people.
To the text of Pope Leo it is said likewise that when there is somecne who is best he should be elected, when there is not someone who is best a good man should be elected.
To the text of Ambrose it is said that priests and deacons should in behavior and speech lead all of the people living a wholly secular life, but they need not lead those of the people who live an especially holy life.
Other texts are answered in a similar way.
Student I think I am not ignorant how that opinion interprets all the sacred canons which seem in this matter to militate against it.
But say whether it holds that an election should be quashed if the best man is not elected, when there is found someone best and more excellent than all.
Master It holds that because on account of scandais, disturbances, disagreements, and also seditions, lesser evils are often tolerated to avoid greater ones; so the election of a good man who is not the best, when a best is found, can licitly not be quashed and would often be most dangerous to quash.
Student Even though such an election should not be quashed, is the good man elected obliged not to consent to the election made of himself, or to withdraw if he has already consented, when someone who is best has been passed over?
Master It is answered that if such a man, when some other, best, man is found, is able not to consent without danger or notable
® See gloss, col, 518, v. Mév praecellut: "That is, unless he has the discretion required in a prelate - if not outstanding, yet sufficient... For it suffhiees if he