We are a group of theologians who live and work in Belgium and the Netherlands, and study together the work of John Duns Scotus (1266-1308). In our publications, we analyze and explain his texts, which are written in the tradition of medieval scholasticism. We also try to show the relevance of his ideas to contemporary theology and philosophy. Duns Scotus was a Franciscan and a brilliant medieval master whose legacy is still of great value to science and the church.
The John Duns Scotus Research Group is affiliated with the Evangelische Theologische Faculteit, Leuven (Belgium).
History of the Research Group
In 1981, Antonie Vos, lecturer at the theological faculty in Utrecht, defended his thesis Kennis en noodzakelijkheid (Knowledge and necessity), in which Duns Scotus takes a crucial place.
At the same time, he gathered a group of students to study the work of Scotus. This group first studied Lectura I 39, the key-text of Scotus, in which he develops his fundamental theory of contingency and freedom for the first time. From this commentary, the group expanded its interest to other Scotus texts.
After having been an asset to the Franciscaans Studiecentrum (FSC: Franciscan Study Centre) for more than a decade, the Research Group is now affiliated with the Evangelische Theologische Faculteit, Leuven (Belgium).
In 1992, the research group published its first book (see books and publications); since then, a number of articles and books have followed.