Intellectual Background

Giles of Rome is above all, it seems, a theoligian. Much of what he wrote during his lifetime were commentaries on the works of Aristotle, and sparked a great deal of controversy among his peers in the Church. In fact, he was included in the Condemnation of 1277. Three reasons are presented as to why such an acclaimed theologian would be attacked in such a way. One is that he held many similar views as the comdemned Masters of Theology, even though he himself was still just a bachelor of theology. Another is that his writings were often highly critical of other Masters, especially Henry of Ghent on the issue of distinction vetween essence and existence. Finally, for his defense of Thomas Aquinas (who is believed to have been Giles' teacher in Paris) and his theory on the unity of subsantial form and the eternal world. Giles was also accused of adhering to the double standard theory, which is to say that somethings can be proved true in philosophy but not in theology.

Giles was influenced heavily by both Thomas Aquinas and Aristotle. He commented on and corrected those two great thinkers, focusing on the logical structure and a linguistic analysis of the argument in order to formulate general solutions. For example, he agreed with Aristotle that knowledge comes from sensory experience, thereby rejecting Aquinas view of divine illumination. Giles commented on the Physics, and basically agreed with Aristotle's natural philosophy. He also believed strongly in the distinction between essence and existence, which is to say the body and soul, and that these were very distinct from one another. Giles was involved in the politics of his day, given his various authoritative positions within his Order. He held that spiritual power was superior to temporal power, and that the latter is derived from the former. In his work On Eccleiastical Power, he made clear his support for the papacy over the French monarchy, and insisted that the Church is superior to the State.

"One of the most eminent theoligians and commentators on the works of Aristotle" -- Routledge

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