The Foundations of Bodin's Natural Philosophy

Abstract

On what arguments, authorities and evidence does Bodin ground his natural philosophy? Bodin can be interpreted in turn as a rationalist, building his arguments in the Theatrum, as he proudly and repeatedly announces, on "most certain reasons and demonstrations." Or as an empiricist who adduces "experientia magistra rerum"--whether bookish experience derived from the histories that Bodin mastered so well or direct personal experiences, from daily life and from motivated observations. Or as one indebted to authorities--philosophical authorities (such as the Neoplatonists or the Stoics, or individuals like Pico, Alexander of Aphrodisias or Duns Scotus who are especially praised at various points); or, most of all, to biblical and religious authority: the Theatrum is defined as a defense of central religious tenets and often draws its conclusions from the Old Testament, which Bodin hails as the "sacred fount of the Hebrews," the "law of God," and the "treasury of divine secrets." Bodin has thus proved a remarkably elusive thinker to pigeonhole in one camp or another--which accounts for the ongoing interest he presents to historians. What I would like to do here is to sketch how reason, biblical and religious authority, and experience interact in the Theatrum and to explain why.