Guilty As Charged By Aristotle and Aquinas: PARADISO, Canto IV, Lines 91 - 114

Beatrice launches into a subpoint about free will, one derived from her larger discussion of culpability.

In this passage, she refines exactly why Piccarda and Constance are charged with breaking their vows in the sphere of the moon: They may have wanted to keep their vows, but that wanting doesn't negate their actions.

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we look at this bit of Scholastic reasoning that shores up an uncomfortable if orthodox notion of the will.

Here are the segments of this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:

[01:33] My English translation of PARADISO, Canto IV, Lines 91 - 114. If you'd like to read along or drop a comment on this episode, please find its entry on my website, markscarbrough.com.

[04:07] My translated lines violate the incredible concision of Dante's Florentine poetry.

[06:36] The central problem: Can there be dissension among those in heaven?

[10:58] The notion of a first truth presumes second and third truths--and what are those?

[14:05] Beatrice offers an argument about the absolute will and the conditional will that is almost plagiarized from Aristotle and Aquinas.

[23:02] Beatrice and Dante the poet hold their orthodox fence firm.

[29:07] Rereading the passage: PARADISO, Canto IV, lines 91 - 114.