The influence of Saint Augustine on the doctrine of creation of Alexander of Hales

Summary

Abstract: This article seeks to show the philosophical influence exerted by Saint Augustine of Hippo and his doctrine of creation on the founder of the Franciscan School in the 13th century, Alejandro de Hales. In this way, we will see how the main Halesian concepts regarding creation, such as creation in tempore, divine Ideas, exemplarism or seminal reasons, have a clear Augustinian origin, while others, such as universal hylemorphism or the plurality of substantial forms, come from Aristotelian, Arab and Jewish influences. Finally, we propose to think of the Halesian doctrine of creation as part of a new interpretative tradition of Augustinian metaphysics.
Keywords: Creation ex nihilo, medieval Augustinism, divine ideas, universal hylomorphism, Franciscan School.
Abstract: This article seeks to highlight the philosophical influence that Saint Augustine of Hippo and his doctrine of creation exerted on the Franciscan School of the 13th century founder, Alexander of Hales. In this way, we shall see how the main Halesian concepts concerning the creation, such as the in tempore creation, divine Ideas, exemplarism or seminal reasons have a clear Augustinian origin. Whereas others, like the universal hilomorphism or the substantial-forms plurality, come from Aristotelian, Arab or Jewish influences. Finally, we propose to regard the halesian creation doctrine as part of a new Augustinian metaphysics interpretive tradition.
Keywords: Creation ex nihilo, medieval agustinism, divine ideas, universal hylomorphism, Franciscan School.