Just and Sinner Podcast William of Ockham and Late Medieval Nominalism (Makers of the Modern World)
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Jan 2, 2026 Dive into the fascinating world of William of Ockham as the podcast unveils his pivotal role in late medieval nominalism. Explore his life, from Franciscan roots to accusations of heresy, and how his ideas challenged established theological norms. Discover Ockham's unique perspective on universals, divine cognition, and the intersection of faith and reason. The conversation also touches on his influence on later thinkers, the implications of his ethical theories, and the profound shift toward empiricism in philosophical thought.
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Ockham As Nominalism's Center
- William of Ockham is the central figure of late medieval nominalism and rejected real universals as metaphysical entities.
- His nominalism challenged Platonic and Thomistic accounts and shifted focus from metaphysics to logic and particulars.
Universals As Names, Not Entities
- Ockham treats universals as names or mental signs rather than real entities and later shifts toward conceptualism.
- He denies divine ideas as mediators of creation, insisting creation is direct ex nihilo.
Nominalism's Epistemic Challenge
- Nominalism raises a hard epistemological problem: how mental concepts connect minds and the external world without shared universals.
- Ockham downplays this issue but his move paved the way toward later empiricism and skepticism.
