SOURCE: Steenberghen, Fernand Van. “Siger of Brabant.” The Modern Schoolman 29, no. 1 (November 1951): 11-27.

In the following essay, Steenberghen discusses Siger's career, writings, doctrine, and historical role, offering suggestions for the direction of future studies.

What is the present state of research in Siger of Brabant? To answer this question, I propose to give first a brief account of the conclusions that seem to be definitely reached and universally accepted about the career, writings, doctrine, and historical role of Siger. Then I shall briefly indicate the points that are still unsettled or that require further investigation.

I. Conclusions Reached

The Career

We have no positive information about the place and date of Siger's birth. His name indicates that he was a native of the duchy of Brabant, which, in the thirteenth century, was a fief of the Germanic Empire. His relations with Bernier of Nivelles and John of Huy...