Work of Ninety Days - Classic Text | Alexandria
Work of Ninety Days (Opus nonaginta dierum) stands as one of William of Ockham's most significant political treatises, composed during a pivotal period of medieval theological and political discourse in 1332-1333. This remarkable text, written in response to Pope John XXII's controversial pronouncements on apostolic poverty, represents a masterful blend of philosophical argumentation and political theory completed, as its title suggests, in just ninety days.
The work emerged during a tumultuous period when Ockham, having fled from Avignon to Munich, found protection under Emperor Louis IV of Bavaria. The historical context was shaped by intense debates over papal authority, franciscan poverty, and the relationship between secular and religious power. The treatise specifically addresses Pope John XXII's bulls Quia vir reprobus (1329) and Ad conditorem canonum (1322), which had challenged the Franciscan ideal of absolute poverty.
Structurally, the Work of Ninety Days employs Ockham's characteristic razor-sharp logic to systematically dismantle the papal arguments while defending the Franciscan position on evangelical poverty. The text demonstrates Ockham's innovative approach to political theory, introducing concepts that would later influence modern notions of individual rights and limited ecclesiastical authority. Its rapid composition under pressure lends the work an urgency and directness that distinguishes it from more formal theological treatises of the period.
The legacy of this text extends far beyond its immediate historical context, influencing subsequent discussions of church-state relations and religious liberty. Modern scholars continue to mine its rich argumentative structure for insights into medieval political thought and the development of Western legal theory. The work's emphasis on the distinction between use and ownership rights has particular resonance in contemporary debates about property rights and economic justice. The text remains a testament to Ockham's intellectual prowess and his ability to craft sophisticated philosophical arguments under extreme circumstances, while raising enduring questions about the nature of authority, rights, and religious freedom that continue to challenge modern readers.