43. The Providence of God regarding the Universe. Part Three of the First Principal Part of The Universe of Creatures, by William of Auvergne. Translated from the Latin with an Introduction and Notes by Roland J. Teske, S.J. ISBN-13: 978-087462-246-1; ISBN-10: 0-87462-246-8. Paper. 204 pp. $25.
God’s providence over the world posed a traditional set of questions for the medieval philosopher-theologian. In the third part of his first principal part of The Universe of Creatures, William of Auvergne argues that God’s providence over creation extends to all things, the lowest as well as the highest. He tackles problems, such as pain, suffering, and other evils and faces questions, such as why the good often flourish in this life and whether providence imposes necessity on all things. He argues for human freedom and against fate, causal necessity, the world-soul, and the music of the spheres.
Roland J. Teske, S.J., Donald J. Schuenke Professor of Philosophy (Ph.D., University of Toronto, 1973), specializes in St. Augustine and medieval philosophers, especially William of Auvergne and Henry of Ghent. He has translated 10 volumes of works of St. Augustine, 4 volumes of works of William of Auvergne, and 3 volumes of works of Henry of Ghent.
He has published over 50 articles on Augustine, over a dozen on William, and several on Henry. He has given the St. Augustine Lecture at Villanova and the Aquinas Lecture at Marquette University. He has been visiting professor at Santa Clara University, John Carroll University, and Villanova University.
Marquette University Press
