John Duns Scotus, Franciscan theologian philosopher, a thinker for our times: in place of a biography

An overview of the life and intellectual legacy of the Franciscan theologian-philosopher John Duns Scotus (died 1308), sometimes called Scotland's greatest philosopher, draws on the most recent historical scholarship and treatments of his thought. From his origins in Duns, Scotland, to his influential tenure in Paris and death in Cologne, Scotus's life is considered alongside his important doctrines: the univocity of being, which reshapes metaphysical discourse, and the Immaculate Conception of Mary, a cornerstone of his theological impact. This discussion clarifies the context and significance of the ‘charge of heresy’ sometimes linked to Scotus, and considers modern engagements with Scotus's thought – both positive and critical – which point to his enduring relevance.