God, human and freedom : thoughts on the sources of medieval voluntarism

The transition from medieval thought to what we usually consider as modem philosophy is a breakthrough on many levels. This is because the step from objective, metaphysical perspective towards subjective, anthropological perspective was a change in the very paradigm of thinking. In the text below I attempt to outline this change by analysing the already mentioned process of anthropologization of thinking. A vivid example of such antrhopoligi- zation is the outcome of the dispute on the unity of intellectual powers, which evolves from st.Thomas’s intellectualism to the supremacy of will proposed by the concepts of voluntarist William Ockham. The breaking point of this process is the balanced doctrine of John Duns Scotus, traditionally described as voluntarist, but, because of its unique idea of dialectics of will, close to intellectualism. This article outlines solutions proposed by each of above mentioned philosophers, followed by a critical reflection. I decided to stress the ethical concept of John Duns Scotus, at the same time showing all three of these philosophers in a wider perspective, in order to try to show one of the reasons of the crisis of medieval metaphysics. This was the crisis which led philosophy into modernity.