This installment begins a short series of three episodes devoted to the life and work of the Franciscan, Blessed John Duns Scotus, a woefully under attended-to philosopher and theologian of the High Middle Ages. So we're going to try and remedy that in some small way here. 

Today we’ll get something of an introduction to Duns Scotus by looking at some themes of his writing and thinking. We'll consider his working through the question of the Immaculate Conception, which at his time was a live and debated question. We’ll also get a sense of him within the context of his Francsican way of life, with its particular emphasis on the experience of beauty. 

And there’s no one better to start us off than today’s guest, Sister Mary Beth Ingham, a Sister of St. Joseph, who is presently Professor of Philosophical Theology at the Franciscan School of Theology at the University of San Diego, as well as Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Loyola Marymount University. 

Sister Mary Beth has written a number of works on Duns Scotus and the Franciscan tradition, including the book we’ll discuss today, Scotus for Dunces: An Introduction to the Subtle Doctor, as well as Understanding John Duns Scotus, and the related Rejoicing in the Works of the Lord: Beauty in the Franciscan Tradition. 

1. Mary Beth Ingham, CSJ, Professor of Philosophical Theology
2. Scotus for Dunces: An Introduction to the Subtle Doctor by Mary Beth Ingham
3. Understanding John Duns Scotus by Mary Beth Ingham
4. Rejoicing in the Works of the Lord: Beauty in the Franciscan Tradition by Mary Beth Ingham
5. Four Questions on Mary by John Duns Scotus, trans. Allan Wolter, O.F.M.
6. Franciscan Institute Publications