Nicholas of Autrecourt c. 1299 – c. 1369
Nicholas of Autrecourt (c. 1299 – c. 1369) was a French philosopher of the Medieval era, associated with Medieval Philosophy, Scholasticism, and Skepticism.
Nicholas of Autrecourt was a French scholastic philosopher of the early fourteenth century, sometimes called the medieval Hume for the radical skeptical critique of Aristotelian causal reasoning he developed at the University of Paris. He argued that no inference from one existing thing to another can be evident unless it can be reduced to the principle of non-contradiction, and that, strictly speaking, we have certain knowledge only of immediate appearances. His writings were condemned at Paris in 1346 and publicly burned, and he was obliged to recant his teachings, though he later served as a respected dean of Metz cathedral.
Key facts
- Nationality
- French
- Era
- Medieval
- Movements
- Medieval Philosophy, Scholasticism, Skepticism
Selected quotes
-
Attributed to Nicholas of Autrecourt:
“From the existence of one thing the existence of another cannot be inferred with certainty.”
-
Attributed to Nicholas of Autrecourt:
“Only what can be reduced to the principle of non-contradiction is evident.”
-
Attributed to Nicholas of Autrecourt:
“Aristotle was less certain in his conclusions than his commentators have made him.”
-
Attributed to Nicholas of Autrecourt:
“Probability is the most that natural philosophy can attain.”
-
Attributed to Nicholas of Autrecourt:
“We should be modest about how much our reasoning truly proves.”
Nicholas of Autrecourt by topic
Frequently asked about Nicholas of Autrecourt
- When did Nicholas of Autrecourt live?
- Nicholas of Autrecourt was born in c. 1299 and died in c. 1369.
- Where was Nicholas of Autrecourt from?
- Nicholas of Autrecourt was a French philosopher of the Medieval era.
- What philosophical movements is Nicholas of Autrecourt associated with?
- Nicholas of Autrecourt was associated with Medieval Philosophy, Scholasticism, and Skepticism.
- What was Nicholas of Autrecourt known for?
- Nicholas of Autrecourt was a French scholastic philosopher of the early fourteenth century, sometimes called the medieval Hume for the radical skeptical critique of Aristotelian causal reasoning he developed at the University of Paris.
- How many quotes are attributed to Nicholas of Autrecourt?
- There are 5 attributed quotations from Nicholas of Autrecourt in the 1001Philosophers collection, organized by topic.