Abstract

This essay investigates the extent to which the notion of the subject provides access to medieval metaphysics. Historically, this question involves the relation of nominalism to the Cartesian cogito, with regard to which it is possible to speak of a certain continuity in view of the paradigmatically explanatory function of the notion of the I. Against this background, it is maintained that the notion of the subject provides access to medieval metaphysics insofar as the notion of the I belongs to the notion of the subject. Medieval metaphysics and constructive reason can be mediated with one another to the extent that reason in its constructive significance is connected with the notion of the I.