An overview of philosophical thought of the Middle Ages, that is, roughly of the period between 500 AD and 1500 AD. The course will focus on several themes from the Christian, Jewish and Islamic traditions to show that many of the philosophical concerns of the present day were also of concern to thinkers of the period. In particular, we will look at the relationship between knowledge and belief, the nature of human happiness, the question of whether God exists and, if so, whether his existence can be rationally demonstrated, and the problem of free will, among others. Thinkers to be discussed will generally include St. Augustine (354-430), St. Anselm (1033-1109), al-Farabi (ca. 850-ca. 950), Maimonides (1135-1204) and St. Thomas Aquinas (1224/25-1274).
An overview of philosophical thought of the Middle Ages, that is, roughly of the period between 500 AD and 1500 AD. The course will focus on several themes from the Christian, Jewish and Islamic traditions to show that many of the philosophical concerns of the present day were also of concern to thinkers of the period. In particular, we will look at the relationship between knowledge and belief, the nature of human happiness, the question of whether God exists and, if so, whether his existence can be rationally demonstrated, and the problem of free will, among others. Thinkers to be discussed will generally include St. Augustine (354-430), St. Anselm (1033-1109), al-Farabi (ca. 850-ca. 950), Maimonides (1135-1204) and St. Thomas Aquinas (1224/25-1274).
