THE PROBLEM OF SINGULAR TERMS IN THE 14TH CENTURY

The guidelines of this research project fall within the more general framework of studies on Late
Medieval Logic and deal with the different theories proposed by 14th century authors on singular
terms. The aims of the research can be summarised as follows:
1. Contributing to research on the so-called logica modernorum, an expression that medieval
authors used to indicate those original contents that they did not take on board from ancient tradition
and sources. From this point of view, the field of singular terms represents one of the most fruitful
fields of this new branch of discipline. This is true not only for the new and innovative theories
proposed for the correct classification and definition of such terms; but also for the practical
application that therein find technical notions such as significatio, suppositio, connotatio, etc.
2. Bringing to light new material to highlight the content gap between the various traditions
of thought in the Middle Ages. Despite the apparent commonality in the logical vocabulary used,
different approaches can be discerned in the 14th century, which change depending on the theoretical
(e.g., nominalism, realism) or geographical context of reference (e.g. Paris, Oxford…)