The Edinburgh Critical History of Middle Ages and Renaissance Philosophy

19 critical essays on topics and figures central to medieval and Renaissance thought

• Organised around topics, concepts and problems distinctive to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance
• Pays attention to the relations between canonical philosophers as well as those not usually treated in standard histories
• Challenges the traditional periodisation of philosophy, showing that the thought of these periods is understood in new ways when they are treated as one
• Opens a dialogue between philosophers of different periods

Written by a team of leading international scholars, this crucial period of philosophy is examined from the novel perspective of themes and lines of thought which cut across authors, disciplines and national boundaries. This fresh approach will open up new ways for specialists and students to conceptualise the history of medieval and Renaissance thought within philosophy, politics, religious studies and literature.

The essays cover concepts and topics that have become central in the continental tradition. They also bring major philosophers – Thomas Aquinas, Averroes, Maimonides and Duns Scotus – into conversation with those not usually considered canonical – Nicholas of Cusa, Marsilius of Padua, Gersonides and Moses Almosnino. Medieval and Renaissance thought is approached with contemporary continental philosophy in view, highlighting the continued richness and relevance of the work from this period.