Previously Unpublished Works of Roger Bacon, Fascicle 11: Questions on Aristotle's Metaphysics and On Plants

It is asked whether number exists in things as in a subject original: "subjecto." In this context, a "subject" is the physical thing in which a property (like number) resides, such as five apples. 77
It is asked whether number exists in the soul original: "anima." Here meaning the mind or the intellect, asking if "number" is merely a mental construct. 78
It is asked whether number is formed from the repetition of units 79
It is asked whether the repeated units original: "reiterate" The manuscript erroneously reads "uncreated" (increate) here. that constitute numbers are the same in number or in species A logical category; the question asks if the "1" in "2" is the same kind of "1" as the "1" in "3". 80
It is asked whether numbers are the principles of things 81
It is asked whether continuity is a principle of things in the same way as original: "numerus" The manuscript erroneously reads "one" (unus) here. number 82

It is asked whether Ideas original: "ydee." Referring to the Platonic theory that abstract "Forms" or "Ideas" are more real than physical objects. exist 83
It is asked how Ideas exist 84

THE QUESTIONS ON THE FOURTH BOOK OF METAPHYSICS BEGIN

It is asked whether there can be ⟨one⟩ science concerning being original: "ente." The most fundamental concept in metaphysics, referring to anything that exists. in its commonality 88
It is asked whether all particular sciences consider the accidental Properties that are not essential to a thing's nature, like a person being tan or tall. 90
It is asked whether "being" is said equivocally Using the same word for different meanings, like "bank" (of a river) and "bank" (for money). of all things 91
It is asked whether an analogical original: "anologum." A term that has different but related meanings, such as "healthy" applied to a person, a diet, and a complexion. term can predicate a single original: "rationem" The manuscript abbreviates this as "ram." meaning 92
It is asked whether this analogical "being," which is said of two things, ought to be said of that of which it is primarily said 93
It is asked whether the "one" and "being" are the same 94
It is asked whether it differs to say "man" and "one man" and "this man" 95
It is asked whether the logician, the sophist, and the metaphysician work on the same subject 96
It is asked whether metaphysics differs from any of these (sciences) 96
It is asked whether it differs from sophistry 96

It is asked whether it belongs to the metaphysician to determine concerning opposites: and original: "et primo" The manuscript reads "it is asked" (queritur) here. first, whether he ought to determine concerning privatives A type of opposition where something is absent that should be present, like blindness being the privation of sight. 97
It is asked whether he ought to determine concerning contraries Opposites that allow for a middle ground, like "black" and "white" (with grey in between). 98
It is asked whether the one and the many are the first contrary principles 99
It is asked whether the metaphysician ought to determine concerning contradictories Absolute opposites with no middle ground, like "being" and "not-being." 100
⟨It is asked whether (he should determine) concerning relatives⟩ 101

Translator's note on the Latin apparatus:
¹ repeated (reiterate)] uncreated (increate) in the Manuscript.
² number (numerus)] one (unus) in the Manuscript.
³ meaning (rationem)] ram in the Manuscript.
⁴ and first (et primo)] it is asked (queritur) in the Manuscript.