ABSTRACT
The decade of the 1540's saw the conservative elements in the University of Paris challenged on a fundamental issue. Its clearest manifestation was the revolt against the authority of Aristotle initiated by Peter Ramus. The career of Ramus in the University of Paris may seem to bear little relation to the thought of Jean Bodin, whose major studies in law, politics and history are remote from the former's interest in the traditional liberal arts. In order to appreciate Bodin's use of Ramist concepts, authors must first sketch very briefly certain features of the new logic. In short, they find in the Distributio a complete classification of jurisprudence according to the precepts laid down in the first book of the Ramist logic. The very title of Bodin's Methodus ad facilem historiarum cognitionem is sufficient to suggest its connections with Ramism. Examination soon shows that the influence extends beyond the title.
