The Double Truth Controversy

The principal source of the double truth controversy is the condemnation
of 1277 issued by the bishop of Paris, Stephan Tempier. In the
introduction to the document, Tempier condemns those philosophers who
claim that there are things true according to the Catholic faith but
false on the basis of natural reason. There is little doubt that Tempier
thought of Siger of Brabant and Boethius of Dacia. There are several
problems involved here, the first being whether anyone has actually ever
advocated double truth. The second follows on the heels of the first
since, if so, what does the theory of duplex veritas amount to? Finally,
is it rational to uphold a view that embraces double truth? This book
attempts to answer these questions via an exegesis of historical texts
and by the application of some modern logical techniques to medieval
theories. The resulting picture is that of complex and interesting
accounts of the relationship between faith and reason, enabling an in-
depth reflection on the contemporary discussions of the issue.

• author: Bartosz Brożek