Previously Unpublished Works of Roger Bacon, Fascicle 11: Questions on Aristotle's Metaphysics and On Plants

HERE BEGIN THE QUESTIONS ON THE THIRD BOOK (OF METAPHYSICS)

It is asked whether it belongs to this science to determine difficult questions 103
It is asked whether there can be a science of the first causes 103
It is asked whether it belongs to one science to determine all types of causes
It is asked what that science might be 105
It is asked whether the mathematician seeks the end original: "finem." In Aristotelian philosophy, the "end" or "final cause" is the purpose for which something exists or is done. 106
It is asked whether it is possible to demonstrate original: "demonstrare." In medieval logic, a demonstration is a rigorous proof that produces certain knowledge through necessary premises. through every type of cause 107
It is asked through which cause it is more certain and true to demonstrate 109
It is asked whether mathematical¹ demonstrations are more noble 110

It is asked whether any science deserves to be called philosophy; and it is asked which science that is 111

It is asked whether certain principles of demonstration are common and others are proper original: "propria." These are "specific" principles belonging to one particular field, as opposed to universal logical axioms. 113
It is asked whether common principles ⟨should or⟩ can be made specific 114
It is asked whether the principles of demonstration are the principles of being original: "entis." The central subject of metaphysics is "being as being," or existence itself. insofar as it is being 116
It is asked whether deception is possible regarding the principles of demonstration 116
It is asked whether this principle—"Of anything, an affirmation [or negation]," etc.—ought to be called prior and better known original: "De quolibet affirmatio." This refers to the Law of Excluded Middle: for any proposition, either its positive or negative form must be true. 117
It is asked whether it belongs to one science to determine the principles of demonstration ⟨and⟩ it is asked which science that is 119 original: "f. 5 v 1." A reference to the manuscript location: Folio 5, verso, column 1.
It is asked whether it is possible to demonstrate the principles of demonstration 121
It is asked whether principles of this kind ⟨are demonstrated⟩ by a true or a wandering demonstration 122
It is asked whether the principles of demonstration can or should be demonstrated in relation to the learner 123
It is asked whether the principles of demonstration should be divided 124

¹ mathematical] "metaphysics" in the manuscript.