The Spirit of Mediaeval Philosophy / Edition 1

by Etienne Gilson

Overview

In this book (a translation of his well-known work L'esprit de la philosophie medievale), Etienne Gilson undertakes the task of defining the spirit of mediaeval philosophy. Gilson asks whether we can form the concept of a Christian philosophy and whether mediaeval philosophy is not its most adequate historical expression. He maintains that the spirit of mediaeval philosophy is the spirit of Christianity penetrating the Greek tradition, working within it, and drawing out of it a certain view of the world that is specifically Christian. To support his hypothesis, Gilson examines mediaeval thought in its nascent state, at that precise point where the Judeo-Christian graft was inserted into the Hellenic tradition. Gilson's demonstration is primarily historical and occasionally theoretical in suggesting how doctrines that satisfied our predecessors for so many centuries may still be found conceivable today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780268017408
Publisher:	University of Notre Dame Press
Publication date:	04/30/1991
Series:	Scientific and Engineering Computation Series
Edition description:	1
Pages:	500
Sales rank:	736,813
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 1.01(d)

About the Author

Etienne Gilson (1884 - 1978) was Professor of Mediaeval Philosophy at the Sorbonne in 1921, and from 1932 until his retirement in 1951, he held a similar chair at the Collège de France. From 1929 until his death, he was affiliated with the Institute of Mediaeval Studies at the University of Toronto.

Editorial Reviews

“The Spirit of Mediaeval Philosophy is a text of tremendous value—perhaps most especially so in our own particular period in the history of philosophy. Gilson’s book does more than merely overturn a few erroneous notions about mediaeval thinking; it works to remind its reader what it means to think and live within the structure of a metaphysical world-view.” —Faith and Culture
 

From the Publisher

**** A reprint of Gilson's estimable book of 1936 (Sheed & Ward) (endorsed by BCL3). These 20 lectures were delivered as Gifford Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

The Spirit of Mediaeval Philosophy is a text of tremendous value—perhaps most especially so in our own particular period in the history of philosophy. Gilson’s book does more than merely overturn a few erroneous notions about mediaeval thinking; it works to remind its reader what it means to think and live within the structure of a metaphysical world-view.

Faith and Culture