Richard’s Trinitarian argument in De Trinitate: an analytic overview

De Trinitate is the culmination of the Ricardine corpus. Where many of Richard’s earlier works address discrete theological questions, De Trinitate integrates previous findings into a single, sustained case. The heart of the treatise is Richard’s argument for three, and only three, divine persons. The spiritual, psychological, and intellective aims of De Trinitate are best achieved if its constitutive arguments are sound, and we must grasp its arguments to fully appreciate the treatise. Its clarity and the simplicity of its prose has, unfortunately, led many to consider De Trinitate too superficially. Yet, the treatise develops a serious, subtle progression of arguments – all of which require a serious and sophisticated reading. To help us achieve such a reading, this chapter provides a step-by-step outline of the core trinitarian argument. Accompanying the analytic précis is some exposition and defense at key points along the way.