The Tractatus
THE TRACTATUS
DE SUCCESSIVIS
Franciscan Institute Publications No. 1
THE TRACTATUS
DE SUCCESSIVIS
ATTRIBUTED TO WILLIAM OCKHAM
Edited with a Study on the Life and Works of Ockham by
PHILOTHEUS BOEHNER, O. F. M.
THE FRANCISCAN INSTITUTE
ST. BONAVENTURE COLLEGE
ST. BONAVENTURE, N. Y.
· S143
COPYRIGHT, 1944, BY
ST. BONAVENTURE COLLEGE
Imprimi potest.
Fr. Jerome Dawson, O. F. M., Minister Provincial .
July 12, 1943 .
Nihil obstat.
Henry J. Zolzer, Censor.
Imprimatur.
Thomas H. McLaughlin, Bishop of Paterson.
January 10, 1944.
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BY ST. ANTHONY GUILD PRESS, PATERSON, N. J.
Philosofly Jaxon !
10-19-53 84408 St. and, #1 + FOREWORD The Franciscan Institute is a distinct unit within the Division of Graduate Studies at St. Bonaventure College and Seminary, St. Bonaventure, N. Y.
It functions under the laws and requirements of this Division and leads to graduate degrees . While its major interests lie in the field of Philosophy, it offers courses also in Theology, History,
Classical Studies, Natural Sciences, and such other related subjects as will afford the student both depth and breadth in the pursuit of research.
Though the Franciscan Institute by no means confines its courses of study to strictly Franciscan topics, it nevertheless purposes to accord consistent attention to the Franciscan school of thought and to the Franciscan outlook generally on all departments of knowledge and investigation, thus aiming at the realization of St. Bonaventure's ideal of a reduction of all knowledge and of all arts and sciences to Sacred
Theology, the source and center of that wisdom which is charity.
The publications of the teachers and students of the Franciscan Institute will furnish proof of this activity. While briefer studies will find their natural place in relevant scientific magazines, the more extensive researches and studies will be published under the title : "Franciscan Institute Publications." We are happy to present herewith the first number .
THOMAS PLASSMANN, O. F. M.
President
PREFACE The following edition of the Tractatus de Successivis will, I hope, be welcomed by everyone interested in Ockhamistic studies.
It is preceded by a relatively short biography and bibliography of the "Venerabilis Inceptor." Although the inclusion of these introductory sections may seem only the continuation of a bad habit, nevertheless
I deemed it necessary in order to prevent the repetition of many inexact statements commonly found in our textbooks.
This modest contribution was made possible through the kind help of many friends. I am indebted especially to the Very Reverend Celsus
Wheeler, O. F. M., Guardian of St. Bonaventure Monastery; to the Very Reverend Thomas Plassmann, O. F. M., President of St. Bonaventure College; to the Very Reverend Mathias Faust, O. F. M.; to Professor Etienne Gilson ; to the Institute of Mediaeval Studies at Toronto; and to the Reverend Ignatius Brady, O. F. M., and Mr.
Richard Fitzgerald.
With sincere gratitude I dedicate this work to St. Bonaventure College, where I found a haven in these troublesome times.
PHILOTHEUS BOEHNER, O. F. M.
St. Bonaventure College The Feast of St. Francis, 1943 VII
ST. BONAVENTURE COLLEGE
