Sigerus of Brabant

Siger of Brabant (c. 1240 – before 10 November 1284) was a 13th-century philosopher from the southern Low Countries, notable as a key proponent of Averroism. Little is known about his early life, but in 1266, he was associated with the University of Paris. During a dispute between student factions, he was threatened with execution but no further action was taken. Over the next decade, he authored six treatises, including 'De anima intellectiva' and 'De aeternitate mundi'. In 1271, Siger was elected rector of the University of Paris amidst further factional strife, likely between Averroists and more orthodox thinkers. This led to his retirement to Liège. He was accused of teaching 'double truth,' though he likely sought to reconcile faith and reason. In 1277, his work was included in a condemnation of Aristotelianism. He and Boetius of Dacia fled to Italy and reportedly died in Orvieto. The exact manner of his death is unknown, with some accounts suggesting he was murdered by a secretary, while Dante's 'Paradiso' hints at a slow death. Siger's philosophy emphasized good laws over good rulers and he criticized papal infallibility in temporal matters. His embrace of Averroism brought opposition from prominent contemporaries like Albertus Magnus and Thomas Aquinas. He faced lifelong persecution from both the Church and philosophical opponents.