Historical Dictionary of Medieval Philosophy and Theology (Historical Dictionaries of Religions, Philosophies, and Movements Series) - Tapa dura

...valuable to scholars... * American Reference Books Annual, March 2008 * This is just the sort of work that those beginning the study of medieval philosophy and theology, whether undergraduate or graduate student, or an educated reader, would like to have on their bookshelf: it gives them the fundamentals, while the ample bibliography will allow them to carry their investigations further into particular issues and figures. -- Timothy B. Noone, The Catholic University of America This volume provides a reliable and useful guide for students seeking entry into the discipline. * Journal of the History of Philosophy, October 2008 * Brown (theology, Boston College, Massachusetts) and Flores (philosophy, Providence College, Rhode Island) describe people, events, and concepts that shaped medieval European philosophy and theology. As well as the Christian philosophers that dominated the era, they also consider Arabian and Jewish philosophers that played important roles not only in their own cultural and religious worlds, but perhaps even more in Christendom. Many classical writers are also included because of their influence during the period.....but the cross-referencing is extensive....the bibliography is arranged in topical sections. * Reference and Research Book News, August 2007 *

The Middle Ages is often viewed as a period of low intellectual achievement. The name itself refers to the time between the high philosophical and literary accomplishments of the Greco-Roman world and the technological advances that were achieved and philosophical and theological alternatives that were formulated in the modern world that followed. However, having produced such great philosophers as Anselm, Peter Abelard, John Duns Scotus, William of Ockham, Peter Lombard, and the towering Thomas Aquinas, it hardly seems fair to label the medieval period as such. Examining the influence of ancient Greek philosophy as well as of the Arabian and Hebrew scholars who transmitted it, the Historical Dictionary of Medieval Philosophy and Theology presents the philosophy of the Christian West from the 9th to the early 17th century. This is accomplished through a chronology, an introduction, appendixes, a bibliography, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on the philosophers, concepts, issues, institutions, and events, making this an important reference for the study of the progression of human thought.