Sic bonum cognoscitur et similiter lux. Divine Ideas in the First Franciscan Masters (Alexander of Hales and John of La Rochelle)

This article aims at presenting the contribution of Alexander of Hales and John of La Rochelle to the thirteenth-century discussion about the divine ideas. The study will focus on the features of their analysis and on the innovations they provide to medieval theological language, showing their major achievements which are the starting point of further developments. The approach to the writings of both Alexander and John requires a preliminary passage, that is, an examination of Peter Lombard's exegetical work and of the doctrinal position of his Parisian intellectual followers.