Medieval Thought
To help understand a little more about Medieval Thought An Introduction, the following outline will be used in this review: first a look at the author, his professional background and his objectives with respect to this book are discussed. From there the layout of the text will be thoroughly looked at, with detailed descriptions of major points in the chapters, which are relevant to this review. Finally conclusions will be drawn from the information stated above as to whether or not this text is to be considered a valid depiction of the facts.
The author of Medieval Thought An Introduction is B.B. Price. Price's interest in the topic of medieval thought stems from his own experiences teaching university undergraduates in North America. He states that, "Their (the students) interests and needs have guided its (the texts') organization and content…" To aid him in the writing of this text, Price has invested in the help of historian of medieval philosophy J.M. Hackett, as well as the editing help of many colleagues. Another useful point to mention is that Price used well over 300 historical references including manuscripts, dictionaries, and journals in a variety of different languages, and from a variety of different time periods. These were conveniently placed at the end of each chapter in which the reference was used so that the reader could then pursue an interest through that literature if they so pleased.
Through the preface and introduction, Price invites the reader to allow him to describe and trace the evolution of intellectual pursuit in the Middle Ages. An unbiased point of view is what he would like to portray but he admits that many influential thinkers have gone without mention. Influences which were neglected were the Jewish and Arabic religious/cultural ideals and the Christian Greek culture which is described as "vital and interesting." Price also encourages the readers to be intrigued and to go outside the "confines" of the book to find more answers to questions they may have.
Two objectives are clearly stated by Price as he gives his take on the text that he has in mind for the reader:
"The objective of this volume is, however, not really to build a bridge
between the recent contributions in social and intellectual history. Its
aim is instead to offer a reassessment of medieval thought which can be
- - - The New Penguin Atlas of Medieval History. London, England, Penguin Books, no publication
Huppé, Bernard F. "The Concept of the Hero in the Early Middle Ages." Concepts of the Hero in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Eds. Norman T. Burns & Christopher J. Reagan. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1975.
By the end of eleventh century, Western Europe had experienced a powerful cultural revival. The flourish of New towns provided a place for exchange of commerce and flow of knowledge and ideas. Universities, which replaced monasteries as centers of learning, poured urbanized knowledge into society. New technological advances and economics transformations provided the means for building magnificent architectures. These developments were representative of the mental and behavioral transformations that the medieval world underwent and the new relationships that were brought about between men, women and society in the twelfth century. As in technology, science, and scholasticism, Literature was also reborn with a new theme.3
The Renaissance has not ceased to be an age of discussion and debate among historians throughout the recent centuries. The vibrant nature of the era marks it as a most fascinating period of history. The Renaissance can be described as an age carrying the essence of “self-discovery and fulfillment, of recognition of human worth, and a dynamic outpouring of artistic activity.” This new world flourishing with art and creative optimism was also steeped in a spirit of “revolt of the Medievalists.” In an effort of “rebirth,” the previous culture of the Middle Ages was rejected, and even scorned. Foundational principles in all fields were overstepped, and old cultural norms were practically obsolete. It was an era whose humanistic philosophy greatly impacted the lens through which man viewed himself and the world.
WAS THE TIME PERIOD BETWEEN 400 AD AND 1400 AD A “DARK AGE” FOR EUROPE?
Schwartz, Debora B. “Backgrounds to Romance: Courtly Love”. Medieval Literature class. California Polytechnic State University, March 2001.
The Web. The Web. 23 Nov. 2011. The "Middle Ages - Information, Facts, and Links." ENotes - Literature Study Guides, Lesson Plans.
In this brief monograph, we shall be hunting down and examining various creatures from the bestiary of Medieval/Renaissance thought. Among these are the fierce lion of imperious, egotistical power, a pair of fantastic peacocks, one of vanity, one of preening social status, and the docile lamb of humility. The lion and the peacocks are of the species known as pride, while the lamb is of an entirely different, in fact antithetical race, that of humility and forgiveness. The textual regions we shall be exploring include the diverse expanses, from palace to heath, of William Shakespeare, the dark, sinister Italy of John Webster, and the perfumed lady's chambers of Ben Jonson and Robert Herrick.
Shawna Herzog, History 101-1, Class Lecture: 11.2 Society in the Middle Ages, 27 March 2014.
Roger Babusci et al. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1994. 115-136. Print. “The Medieval Period: 1066-1485.”
Markus Fischer, “Feudal Europe, 800-1300: Communal Discourse and Conflictual Practices”, International Organization Vol. 46, No.2 (Spring 1992), pp. 427-466.
Triggiano, Tonia Bernardi. "Dante’s Heavenly Lessons: Educative Economy in the Paradiso." Essays in Medieval Studies 26.1 (2010): 15-26. Project MUSE. Web. 1 Apr. 2014.
One aspect of the medieval society was the feudal system was also introduced during this period by William the conqueror; this set the basis for a governmental structure. The feudal system bound people together under one superior – it allowed the use of a standing army and offered protection to those lower in the ranks, in return of service. This use of constitutional government has a great exampl...
The Middle Ages saw a period in time that was deeply rooted in Christianity. Almost every aspect of life was monitered and ruled by the Church. This period in time also saw the emergence of men beginning to question whether the existence of God can be proved by faith , reason, or as Thomas Aquinas insists, by both faith and reason. There were differing opinions of this matter in both scholarly and religious circles. Faith is what all believers must have within them, it is a crucial part of man’s relationship with God. On the other hand, reason is a part of science and some believed that matters of The Divine should not be subjected to reason; there should not be a justification for God.
Rice, Eugene E. and Anthony Grafton. The Foundations of Early Modern Europe, 1460-1559. 2nd. ed. New York: W. W. Norton and Co., 1994.