The operational conceptualism of Nicholas of Amsterdam
What is it about?
Nicholas of Amsterdam (d. 1437) took part in the medieval debate on the universals. Based on a thorough analysis of the comprehensive argumentations in his commentaries on Porphyr´s "Isagoge" and Aristotle´s "De anima" and "Metaphysica", this study attempts to define Nicholas´s of Amsterdam position. The most important conclusion is that Nicholas developed an operational conceptualism within the "via moderna" and strictly rejected all variants of realism as proposed by the "via antiqua". His aim was to work out a second theory of universals that could be unanimously accepted by the "modern school of thought". in some respect, the basic ideas of his conceptualism not only refer to John Buridan and Marsilius of Inghen but are also compatible with the theoretical positions of William of Ockham. His main philosophical aim was to show convincingly that universals are primarily not determined by external objects but by the human intellect itself, which constitutes the universals as mental units.