In-folio (31,5 x 22 cm), [iv], 310, 40, pp ; 116 ff, 164 pp, first title in engraved border, with portraits of the author and other ecclesiasticals in medallions and Sessa's printer's mark figuring a cat (margins frayed), second title with large woodcut printer's device (cat carrying a rat in it's mouth). Marginal damp staining on some lvs., still a very good copy. Contemporary vellum binding (some stains), title in ink on spine
Ref. Adams D-1119 ; CNCE 17883, not in Machiels. First edition of the commentaries by Duns Scotus (1266-1308), the ""Subtle Doctor"", Franciscan theologian and philosopher, founder of Scotism. Blessed John Duns the Scott has had considerable influence on both Catholic and secular thought. Perhaps the most influential point of his theology was his defense of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Scotus disagreed with Augustine on forced conversion of the Jews. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1993. ""So outrageous were his views considered to be, that he was thought to be a fool, and, from that, we get the word 'dunce', referring to someone whose ideas are so stupid as to be ridiculous