HoP 307 - Consul of the Philosophers - Michael Psellos
Michael Psellos and his attitude towards pagan philosophy and the political life.
Michael Psellos and his attitude towards pagan philosophy and the political life.
Photius, “the inventor of the book review,” and other Byzantine scholars who preserved ancient learning.
Peter is joined by Andrew Louth for a discussion of John of Damascus and his theological use of philosophy.
John of Damascus helps to shape the Byzantine understanding of humankind and the veneration of images, despite living in Islamic territory.
Is it idolatry to venerate an icon of a saint, or of Christ? The dispute leads the Byzantines to ponder the relation between an image and its object.
Eastern Christian philosophy outside of Constantinople, focusing on translation and exegesis in the languages of Syriac and Armenian.
Peter King, Catarina Dutilh Novaes, and Russ Friedman discuss their approaches to medieval philosophy, and its contemporary relevance.
Bob Pasnau joins Peter to discuss ideas about substance from Aquinas down to the time of Locke, Leibniz and Descartes.
New ideas and and new universities in Italy and greater Germany including Vienna and Prague, where Jan Hus carries on the radical ideas of Wyclif.
John Wyclif refutes nominalism and inspires the Lollard movement, which anticipated Reformation thought with its critique of the church.
Peter is joined by Isabel Davis to discuss marriage, sex and chastity in Chaucer, focusing on the Wife of Bath's speech.
Philosophical themes in Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales” and “Troilus and Criseyde,” as well as Langland’s “Piers Plowman.”
Julian of Norwich’s Shewings and the Cloud of Unknowing lay out challenging paths to knowledge of, and union with, God.
Be surprised by how many philosophical problems arise in connection with angels (how many can dance on the head of a pin is not one of them).
Dietrich of Freiberg, Berthold of Moosburg, John Tauler and Henry Suso explore Neoplatonism and mysticism.
The scholastic and mystic Meister Eckhart sets out his daring speculations about God and humankind in both Latin and German.
Peter speaks to Jack Zupko about John Buridan's secular and parsimonious approach to philosophy.
Scotus, Ockham, and Bradwardine ask how we can be free if God knows and chooses the things we will do in the future.
Giles of Rome and Dante on the rival claims of the church and secular rulers.
An introduction to philosophy in the 14th century, focusing on two big ideas: nominalism and voluntarism.