John Marenbon

Introduction to Medieval Philosophy combines and updates the scholarship of the two highly successful volumes Early Medieval Philosophy (1983) and Late Medieval Philosoph y (1986) in a single, reliable, and comprehensive text on the history of medieval philosophy. John Marenbon discusses the main philosophers and ideas within the social and intellectual contexts of the time, and the most important concepts in medieval philosophy. Straightforward in arrangement, wide in scope, and clear in style, this is the ideal starting point for students beginning the subject.

Later Medieval Philosophy (1150-1350) provides an introduction to philosophy in the Latin West between 1150 and 1350. Part I describes the medieval thinker's intellectual and historical context, by examining the structure of courses in the medieval universities, the methods of teaching, the forms of written work, and the translation and availability of ancient Greek, Arab, and Jewish philosophical texts. Part II examines the nature of intellectual knowledge by explaining the arguments given by Aristotle, his antique commentators, and the Arab philosophers, Avicenna and Averroes.

Philosophy in the medieval Latin West before 1200 is often thought to have been dominated by Platonism. The articles in this volume question this view, by cataloguing, describing and investigating the tradition of Aristotelian logic during this period, examining its influence on authors usually placed within the Aristotelian tradition (Eriugena, Anselm, Gilbert of Poitiers), and also looking at some of the characteristics of early medieval Platonism. Abelard, the most brilliant logician of the age, is the main subject of three articles, and the book concludes with two more general discussions about how and why medieval philosophy should be studied.

The discussion of sameness and difference in the three versions of the Theologia has been analyzed by a number of recent writers (for example, Ian Wilks, JeffBrower, and Peter King). Despite some disagreements, they concur that Abelard’s views are best expressed in the Theologia christiana and that he is putting forward a theory that—perhaps adapted—can help philosophers now in considering the material constitution of objects. By contrast, I argue that his views, which should be seen as developing and reaching their final form in the Theologia “scholarium,” are much more closely linked than these scholars have thought to the particular theological problems involved in discussing the Trinity.

Volume 2 covers one of the richest eras for the philosophical study of religion. Covering the period from the 6th century to the Renaissance, this volume shows how Christian, Islamic and Jewish thinkers explicated and defended their religious faith in light of the philosophical traditions they inherited from the ancient Greeks and Romans. The enterprise of 'faith seeking understanding', as it was dubbed by the medievals themselves, emerges as a vibrant encounter between - and a complex synthesis of - the Platonic, Aristotelian and Hellenistic traditions of antiquity on the one hand, and the scholastic and monastic religious schools of the medieval West, on the other

Several specialists illustrate the wide range of Britain's contribution to medieval philosophy. A number of the discussions throw new light on celebratedBritish medieval philosophers, such as Robert Grossetetste and John Duns Scotus. Others show the importance of less well-known thinkers such as Richard Fishacre, Richard Rufus and Thomas Wylton? The subjects of the papers range widely, both chronologically-from Anselm of Canterbury in the eleventh century to the political and ethical writers of fifteenth-century Oxford and Cambridge - and in method - from philosophical analyses to manuscript studies.

'Marenbon and Orlandi's superb new book in the Oxford Medieval Texts series is a critical edition with annotated translation of one of Abelard's most intriguing works.' -The Heythrop Journal 'A comprehensive and clear edition and translation, with a decent introduction, bibliography, notes and indices... The editors work hard at explaining the nuances of the philosophical arguments in the notes to the text, and they do this well.' -Journal of Theological Studies 'The English-reading public has reason to be grateful for this elegantly translated, fully annotated and carefully introduced edition of a work that has up till now perhaps received less attention than its due.' -English Historical ReviewPeter Abelard (1079-1142) was one of the most influential writers and thinkers of the twelfth century, famed for his skill in logic as well as his romance with Heloise. His Collationes - or Dialogue between a Christian, a Philosopher, and a Jew - is remarkable for the boldness of its conception and thought.