Philosophers of the Renaissance introduces readers to philosophical
thinking from the end of the Middle Ages through the sixteenth century.
International specialists portray the thought of twenty-one individual
philosophers, illustrating their life and work and highlighting the
importance of their thinking.
Best known among the personalities discussed are Nicholas of Cusa, who
combined mathematics with theology; Pico della Mirandola, the first to
introduce Hebrew wisdom; Marsilio Ficino, who made the works of Plato
accessible to his contemporaries; Pietro Pomponazzi, who challenged the
Church with unorthodox teachings; and Tommaso Campanella, who
revolutionized philosophy and science while imprisoned.
Philosophers of this period explored a great variety of human knowledge:
Greek scholars who had emigrated from Byzantium spread ancient and
patristic learning; humanists applied their skills to art, architecture,
and the text of the Bible (Leon Battista Alberti and Lorenzo Valla);
some debated about methods of scientific research -- always with
religion in their mind (Raymond Lull, Agrippa of Nettesheim, Philipp
Melanchthon, Petrus Ramus, Bernardino Telesio, Jacopo Zabarella); others
pondered the ethical implications (Michel de Montaigne, Luis Vives); or
they confronted a radical overturn of the traditional worldview
(Francesco Patrizi, Giordano Bruno, Francisco Suárez).
The book weaves together the stories of these thinkers by emphasizing
the unity of Renaissance philosophy in its attempt to find a
philosophical method, combine religious and political thought, analyze
language, and discuss the practical dimension of philosophy. Originally
published in German in 1998, the chapters have been thoroughly revised
and updated. A chapter on Luis Vives was written specifically for this
English edition; an extensive bibliography introduces the reader to the
current research on philosophers of the Renaissance.
ABOUT THE EDITOR:
Paul Richard Blum is T. J. Higgins, S.J., Chair in Philosophy at Loyola
University Maryland. The author or editor of eighteen books, Blum is
internationally recognized as an eminent authority on the Renaissance.
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:
"Perfect miniatures by well-informed historians of philosophy. Those who
are looking for a comprehensive picture of the Renaissance will not find
a better book."--Die Tagespost
"Easily accessible to readers new to Renaissance philosophy, this book
illustrates a period of transition that is made evident through
individual biographies."--Theologische Revue
"The writing is lively and engaging. This very useful guide is
particularly valuable because of its inclusion of figures often slighted
by surveys of Renaissance Philosophy. . . . It serves to highlight the
broad diversity of Renaissance philosophical interests, ranging from
ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology to science, history, language,
religion, painting, architecture, and poetry. . . . Highly
recommended."--D. C. Kolb, Choice
"This is an impressive collection. All of the chapters are clearly
written and offer concise presentations of the philosophical outlook of
the philosophers covered. . .Without question, this volume establishes
itself as an outstanding guide to an important and often neglected
period of the history of philosophy." -The Thomist
