More Than the “Razor”: William Occam in History and Fiction

This cantankerous 14th-century English friar has been described as the first postmodernist, a co-founder of modern democratic theory, arguably the first male feminist, Martin Luther’s hero, and (with Sherlock Holmes) an inspiration for the protagonist of Umberto Eco’s great postmodern novel The Name of the Rose. Known to his admirers as Doctor Invincibilis, William Occam (or Ockham) was the premier philosopher-theologian of the late Medieval era. This course examines these claims, revealing Occam’s imprint on contemporary politics, religion, science, and culture as the equal of any other philosopher. Before the first class, students are required to purchase and read Michael Harmon’s murder mystery novel Invincibilis: A William Occam Mystery, available for purchase online. The novel will be used as a companion for the historical content of the course.