Medieval Western philosophy Books

Book Synopsis''It remains astonishingly radical ... one of Utopia''s most striking aspects is its contemporaniety'' Terry EagletonIn Utopia, Thomas More gives us a traveller''s account of a newly-discovered island where the inhabitants enjoy a social order based on natural reason and justice, and human fulfilment is open to all. As the traveller describes the island, a bitter contrast is drawn between this rational society and the practices of Europe. How can the philosopher reform his society? In his discussion, More takes up a question first raised by Plato and which is still a challenge in the contemporary world. In the history of political thought few works have been more influential than Utopia, and few more misunderstood.Translated and introduced by Dominic Baker-Smith

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Book SynopsisThis authoritative edition was originally published in the acclaimed Oxford Authors series under the general editorship of Frank Kermode. It brings together an extensive collection of Bacon''s writing - the major prose in full, together with sixteen other pieces not otherwise available - to give the essence of his work and thinking.Although he had a distinguished career as a lawyer and statesman, Francis Bacon''s lifelong goal was to improve and extend human knowledge. In The Advancement of Learning (1605) he made a brilliant critique of the deficiencies of previous systems of thought and proposed improvements to knowledge in every area of human life. He conceived the Essays (1597, much enlarged in 1625) as a study of the formative influences on human behaviour, psychological and social. In The New Atlantis (1626) he outlined his plan for a scientific research institute in the form of a Utopian fable. In addition to these major English works this edition includes ''Of Tribute'', an impTrade ReviewThis volume helps to illustrate the reciprocal relation between his career as a lawyer and a statesman and his writings in natural philosophy, moral philosophy, religion, and politics. * Rose-Mary Sargent, Metascience *

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Book SynopsisBoethius was an eminent public figure under the Gothic emperor Theodoric, and an exceptional Greek scholar. When he became involved in a conspiracy and was imprisoned in Pavia, it was to the Greek philosophers that he turned. The Consolation was written in the period leading up to his brutal execution. It is a dialogue of alternating prose and verse between the ailing prisoner and his 'nurse' Philosophy. Her instruction on the nature of fortune and happiness, good and evil, fate and free will, restore his health and bring him to enlightenment. The Consolation was extremely popular throughout medieval Europe and his ideas were influential on the thought of Chaucer and Dante.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the Table of ContentsThe Consolation of Philosophy " cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" border="0"PrefaceIntroductionI. IntroductoryII. Boethius' Life and WritingsIII. The Consolation of PhilosophyIV. The Christianity of BoethiusV. The TextThe Consolation of PhilosophyBook IBook IIBook IIIBook IVBook VBibliographyGlossary

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Book SynopsisVery Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, InspiringThis book provides an introduction to the most important philosopher of the Islamic world, Ibn Sina, often known in English by his Latinized name Avicenna. After introducing the man and his works, with an overview of the historical context in which he lived, the book devotes chapters to the different areas of Ibn Sina''s thought. Among the topics covered are his innovations in logic, his theory of the human soul and its powers, the relation between his medical writings and his philosophy, and his metaphysics of existence. Particular attention is given to two famous arguments: his flying man thought experiment and the so-called demonstration of the truthful, a proof for the existence of God as the Necessary Existent. A distinctive feature of the book is its attention to the relationship between Ibn Sina and Islamic rational theology (kalam): in which we see how Ibn Sina responded to this tradition in many areas of his thought. A final chapter looks at Ibn Sina''s legacy in both the Islamic world and in Latin Christendom. Here Adamson focuses on the critical responses to Ibn Sina in subsequent generations by such figures as al-Ghazali, al-Suhrawardi, and Fakhr al-Din al-Razi.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewA distinctive feature of the book is its attention to the relationship between Ibn Sīnā and Islamic rational theology (kalām): in which we see how Ibn Sīnā responded to this tradition in many areas of his thought. * Morteza Hajizadeh, Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. *Table of Contents1: Life works 2: Logic epistemology 3: Human person 4: Physics 5: God and world 6: Legacy Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisFor many of us, the term ''medieval philosophy'' conjures up the figure of Thomas Aquinas, and is closely intertwined with religion. In this Very Short Introduction John Marenbon shows how medieval philosophy had a far broader reach than the thirteenth and fourteenth-century universities of Christian Europe, and is instead one of the most exciting and diversified periods in the history of thought.Introducing the coexisting strands of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish philosophy, Marenbon shows how these traditions all go back to the Platonic schools of late antiquity and explains the complex ways in which they are interlinked. Providing an overview of some of the main thinkers, such as Boethius, Abelard, al-Fârâbî, Avicenna, Maimonides, and Gersonides, and the topics, institutions and literary forms of medieval philosophy, he discusses in detail some of the key issues in medieval thought: universals; mind, body and mortality; foreknowledge and freedom; society and the best life. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of Contents1. Introduction ; 2. A Map of medieval philosophy ; 3. Fields of medieval philosophy ; 4. Institutions and literary forms ; 5. Universals: Avicenna and Abelard ; 6. Mind, body and mortality: Averroes and Pomponazzi ; 7. Foreknowledge and freedom: Boethius and Gersonides ; 8. Society and the best life: ibn Tufayl and Dante ; 9. Why medieval philosophy? ; Notes on sources for studies of individual texts ; Further Reading ; Index

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Book SynopsisIn Utopia, Thomas More gives us a traveller''s account of a newly discovered island where the inhabitants enjoy a social order based on natural reason and justice, and human fulfilment is open to all. As the traveller, Raphael, describes the island to More, a bitter contrast is drawn between this rational society and the custom-driven practices of Europe. So how can the philosopher try to reform his society? In his fictional discussion, More takes up a question first raised by Plato and which is still a challenge in the contemporary world. In the history of political thought few works have been more influential than Utopia, and few more misunderstood.

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Book SynopsisCopleston, in the second volume of A History of Philosophy, deals with the reconciliation of philosophy and theology of the early Christian period to the thirteenth century.Frederick Copleston was Professor of the History of Philosophy and Dean of the Faculty of Theology at London University. This eleven-volume work is one of the most remarkable single-handed scholarly enterprises of modern times. Volume 2 covers Anselm of Canterbury, Thomas Aquinas, Augustine of Hippo, Averroes, Avicenna, Boethius, Bonaventure, Maimonides and Duns Scotus.The book covers the Patristic period, including the work of Augustine, and then considers the Carolingian renaissance, Islamic and Jewish philosophy, before finally going into extensive detail on the thought of Aquinas and Scotus.Brimming with detail and enthusiasm, A History of Philosophy gives an accessible account of philosophers from all eras and explains their works in relation to other philosophers. Each volume is an ideal guide for students studying specific eras and as a set offers a complete and unrivalled overview of the entire western philosophical tradition.Trade ReviewA monumental history . . . learned, lucid, patient and comprehensive. * New Statesman *We can only applaud at the end of each act and look forward to applauding again at the final curtain. * Times Literary Supplement *Table of ContentsI Introduction PART I: PRE-MEDIEVAL INFLUENCES II The Patristic Period III St. Augustine I IV St. Augustine II: Knowledge V St. Augustine III: God VI St Augustine IV: The World VII St Augustine V: Moral Theory VIII St Augustine VI: The State IX The Psuedo-Dionysus X Boethius, Cassiodorus and Isidore PART II: THE CAROLINGIAN RENAISSANCE XI The Carolingian Renaissance XII John Scotus Eriugena I XIII John Scotus Eriugena II PART III: THE TENTH, ELEVENTH AND TWELFTH CENTURY XIV The Problem of Universals XV St. Anselm of Canterbury XVI The School of Chartres XVII The School of St. Victor XVIII Dualists and Pantheists PART IV: ISLAMIC AND JEWISH PHILOSOPHY: TRANSLATIONS XIX Islamic Philosophy XX Jewish Philosophy XXI The Translations PART V: THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY XXII Introduction XXIII William of Auvergne XXIV Robert Grosseteste and Alexander of Hales XXV St. Bonaventure I XXVI St. Bonaventure II: God's Existence XXVII St. Bonaventure III: Relation of Creatures to God XXVIII St. Bonaventure IV: The Material Creation XXIX St. Bonaventure V: The Human Soul XXX St. Albert the Great XXXI St. Thomas Aquinas I XXXII St. Thomas Aquinas II: Philosophy and Theology XXXIII St. Thomas Aquinas III: Principles of Created Being XXXIV St. Thomas Aquinas IV: Proof of God's Existence XXXV: St. Thomas Aquinas V: God's Nature XXXVI: St. Thomas Aquinas VI: Creation XXXVII: St. Thomas Aquinas VII: Psychology XXXVIII: St. Thomas Aquinas VIII: Knowledge XXXIX: St. Thomas Aquinas IX: Moral Theory XL. St. Thomas Aquinas X: Political Theory XLI. I Introduction PART I: PRE-MEDIEVAL INFLUENCES II The Patristic Period III St. Augustine I IV St. Augustine II: Knowledge V St. Augustine III: God VI St Augustine IV: The World VII St Augustine V: Moral Theory VIII St Augustine VI: The State IX The Psuedo-Dionysus X Boethius, Cassiodorus and Isidore PART II: THE CAROLINGIAN RENAISSANCE XI The Carolingian Renaissance XII John Scotus Eriugena I XIII John Scotus Eriugena II PART III: THE TENTH, ELEVENTH AND TWELFTH CENTURY XIV The Problem of Universals XV St. Anselm of Canterbury XVI The School of Chartres XVII The School of St. Victor XVIII Dualists and Pantheists PART IV: ISLAMIC AND JEWISH PHILOSOPHY: TRANSLATIONS XIX Islamic Philosophy XX Jewish Philosophy XXI The Translations PART V: THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY XXII Introduction XXIII William of Auvergne XXIV Robert Grosseteste and Alexander of Hales XXV St. Bonaventure I XXVI St. Bonaventure II: God's Existence XXVII St. Bonaventure III: Relation of Creatures to God XXVIII St. Bonaventure IV: The Material Creation XXIX St. Bonaventure V: The Human Soul XXX St. Albert the Great XXXI St. Thomas Aquinas I XXXII St. Thomas Aquinas II: Philosophy and Theology XXXIII St. Thomas Aquinas III: Principles of Created Being XXXIV St. Thomas Aquinas IV: Proof of God's Existence XXXV St. Thomas Aquinas V: God's Nature XXXVI St. Thomas Aquinas VI: Creation XXXVII St. Thomas Aquinas VII: Psychology XXXVIII St. Thomas Aquinas VIII: Knowledge XXXIX St. Thomas Aquinas IX: Moral Theory XL St. Thomas Aquinas X: Political Theory XLI St. Thomas and Aristotle: Controversies XLII Latin Averroism; Siger of Brabrant XLIII Franciscan Thinkers XLIV Giles of Rome and Henry the Great XLV Scotus I XLVI Scotus II: Knowledge XLVII Scotus III: Metaphysics XLVIII Scotus IV: Natural Theolgoy XLIX Scotus V: The Soul L Scotus VI: Ethics LI Concluding Review Appendices I Honorific Titles applied in the Middle Ages to Philosophers treated in this volume II A Short Bibliography Index of names Index of subjects

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Book SynopsisWe know that they prayed, sang, and wore long robes, but what was it really like to be a monk? Though monastic living may seem unimaginable to us moderns, it has relevance for today. This book illuminates the day-to-day of medieval European monasticism, showing how you can apply the principles of monastic living, like finding balance and peace, to your life.With wit and insight, medievalist and podcaster Daniele Cybulskie dives into the history of monasticism in each chapter and then reveals applications for today, such as the benefits of healthy eating, streamlining routines, gardening, and helping others. She shares how monks authentically embraced their spiritual calling, and were also down to earth: they wrote complaints about being cold in the manuscripts they copied, made beer and wine, and even kept bees.How to Live Like a Monkfeatures original illustrations by Anna Lobanova, as well as more than eighty colour reproductions from medieval manuscripts. It is for anyone interested in the Middle Ages and those seeking inspiration for how to live a full life, even when we're confined to the cloister of our homes.Trade Review“This entertaining and enlightening book almost made me want to become a monk. Almost… ” - Dan Jones, New York Times best-selling author and presenter of Netflix’s Secrets of Great British Castles“This is a brilliant concept, beautifully delivered . . . told with great knowledge, with a view to passing on lessons learnt many hundreds of years ago, but still so relevant today. ¬This highly original work is the perfect antidote to the stresses of modern life.” - Charles Spencer, Historian and best-selling author of Killers of the King and The White Ship“This is a profoundly lovely book. Here is the life of a medieval monk, vividly described . . . with clarity, wit, and a humane wisdom that . . . offers food for thought about the modern world.” - Helen Castor, Author of She-Wolves and Joan of Arc"Our Book of the Month for January is How to Live Like a Monk: Medieval Wisdom for Modern Life, by Danièle Cybulskie." - Medievalists.net

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Book SynopsisOffers notes on philosophical, theological, historical, and liturgical issues raised by the "Confessions", as well as paragraph numbers of the Latin edition, and an index.Trade Review"To my ears, Sheed’s translation is the most beautiful English translation available. The same electric current that runs through Augustine’s original can be felt in this translation, which combines a slightly elevated style (more elevated in direct prayers) combined with the immediacy and transparency of a street preacher (not that different from Augustine’s own style). The latest edition includes an introduction by Peter Brown, the best biographer of Augustine, and notes and commentary by Michael Foley, a truly excellent reader of Augustine." —Jared Ortiz, Hope College, in Catholic World Report"This translation is already a classic. It is the translation that has guided three generations of students and readers into a renewed appreciation of the beauty and urgency of a masterpiece of Christian autobiography. This is largely because the translator has caught not only the meaning of Augustine’s Confessions, but a large measure of its poetry. It makes the Latin sing in English as it did when it came from the pen of Augustine, some sixteen hundred years ago. Deeply rooted in the tradition of which Augustine was himself a principal founder, this translation is not only modern: it is a faithful echo, in a language that has carried throughout the ages, of its author’s original passion and disquiet." —Peter Brown"Augustine’s sublime Confessions fairly ring with the music of a baroque eloquence, lavish and stately. F. J. Sheed’s ear for that music makes this translation a memorable opportunity to hear Augustine's voice resonating down the years." —James O'DonnellTable of ContentsBook One: The First Fifteen Years; Book Two: The Sixteenth Year; Book Three: From Sixteen to Eighteen; Book Four: From Eighteen to Twenty-Seven; Book Five: Aged Twenty-Eight; Book Six: Aged Twenty-Nine; Book Seven: Aged Thirty; Book Eight: Aged Thirty-One; Book Nine: Aged Thirty-Two; Book Ten: Augustine's Confession of His Present; Book Eleven: In the Beginning God Created (Genesis 1:1); Book Twelve: Heaven and Earth; Book Thirteen: The Days of Creation; Index.

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Book SynopsisPaul Strathern studied philosophy at Trinity College, Dublin. He is a Somerset Maugham Award-winning novelist; author of two series of books - Philosophers in 90 Minutes and The Big Idea: Scientists who Changed the World - and several works of non-fiction, including The Medici, The Artist, the Philosopher and the Warrior, Spirit of Venice, Death in Florence, The Borgias and The Florentines

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Book SynopsisOne of the most influential philosophers and theologians in the history of Western thought, St Thomas Aquinas established the foundations for much of modern philosophy of religion, and is infamous for his arguments for the existence of God. In this cogent and multifaceted introduction to the great Saint's work, Edward Feser argues that you cannot fully understand Aquinas' philosophy without his theology and vice-versa. Covering his thoughts on the soul, natural law, metaphysics, and the interaction of faith and reason, this will prove a indispensible resource for students, experts or the general reader.Trade Review"Feser is perhaps the best Thomistic philosopher in the USA." * Christopher Malloy, Associate Professor of Theology, University of Dallas *"A breath of fresh air... Feser does yeoman's work in offering a clear and concise presentation of what can be very difficult to understand for the beginner." * Francis J. Beckwith, author of Philosophia Christi *"Superb... [Feser] gives the clearest, most helpful account of the famous Five Ways, the proofs St. Thomas gives for the existence of God, that I've read." * R. R. Reno, Professor of Theology, Creighton University *"Rigorous and accessible philosophy at its best. Even seasoned Thomists will benefit." * Ryan Anderson, author of First Things *"A useful and easy to read introduction. Students and scholars will find [this] highly beneficial." - Fulvio di Blasi, President, Thomas International "Lucid, cogent, and compelling. Required reading for anyone interested in Thomas Aquinas." - Christopher Kaczor, Christopher Kaczor, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Loyola Marymount University "At last. A concise, accessible and compelling introduction to Aquinas's thought. Feser shows that Aquinas's philosophy is still a live option for thinkers today." -- Kelly James Clark, Professor of Philosophy, Calvin College

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Book SynopsisGerman Philosophers contains studies of four of the most important German theorists: Kant, arguably the most influential modern philosopher; Hegel, whose philosophy inspired an enduring vision of a communist society; Schopenhauer, renowned for his pessimistic preference for non-existence; and Nietzsche, who has been appropriated as an icon by an astonishingly diverse spectrum of people.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition Roger Scruton on Kant: 'Roger Scruton faced perhaps the most intractable task of all in giving an elementary account of Kant's philosophy ... but he does it extremely elegantly and neatly.' * Listener *Table of ContentsKANT; HEGEL; SCHOPENHAUER; NIETZSCHE

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Book SynopsisSir Anthony Kenny continues his magisterial new history of Western philosophy with a fascinating guide through more than a millennium of thought from 400 AD onwards, charting the story of philosophy from the founders of Christian and Islamic thought through to the Renaissance.The middle ages saw a great flourishing of philosophy, and the intellectual endeavour of the era reaches its climax in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, with the systems of the great schoolmen such as Thomas Aquinas and John Duns Scotus. Specially written for a broad popular readership, but serious and deep enough to offer a genuine understanding of the great philosophers, Kenny''s lucid and stimulating history will become the definitive work for anyone interested in the people and ideas that shaped the course of Western thought.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition This wonderful book . . . is not only an authoritative guide to the history of philosophy but also a compelling introduction to every major area of philosophical inquiry. . . . Kennys prose is exceptionally clear . . . He conveys his rich subject matter with a light touch of which only the greatest of writers are capable. . . . This, combined with his breadth and depth of learning and philosophical sophistication, make reading this book hugely rewarding. It is also worth mentioning that the book is beautifully illustrated . . . One is left eager for subsequent volumes and convinced that the intellectual cosmos is, indeed, boundlessly rich. * James Ladyman, Times Higher Education Supplement *Table of ContentsMap; Introduction; 1. Philosophy and Faith: Augustine to Maimonides; 2. The Schoolmen: From the Twelfth Century to the Renaissance; 3. Logic and Language; 4. Knowledge; 5. Physics; 6. Metaphysics; 7. Mind and Soul; 8. Ethics; 9. God; Chronology

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Book Synopsis`For I do not seek to understand so that I may believe; but I believe so that I may understand. For I believe this also, that unless I believe, I shall not understand.'' Does God exist? Can we know anything about God''s nature? Have we any reason to think that the Christian religion is true? What is truth, anyway? Do human beings have freedom of choice? Can they have such freedom in a world created by God? These questions, and others, were ones which Anselm of Canterbury (c.1033-1109) took very seriously. He was utterly convinced of the truth of the Christian religion, but he was also determined to try to make sense of his Christian faith. Recognizing that the Christian God is incomprehensible, he also believed that Christianity is not simply something to be swallowed with mouth open and eyes shut. For Anselm, the doctrines of Christianity are an invitation to question, to think, and to learn. Anselm is studied today because his rigour of thought and clarity of writing place him among the greatest of theologians and philosophers. This translation provides readers with their first opportunity to read all of his most important works within the covers of a single volume. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World''s Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford''s commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.Table of ContentsINCLUDES: LETTER TO ARCHBISHOP LANFRANC; MONOLOGIAN; PROSLOGION; PRO INSIPIENTE ON BEHALF OF THE FOOL) BY GAUNILO OF MARMOUTIERS; REPLY TO GAUNILO; ON TRUTH; ON FREE WILL; ON THE FALL OF THE DEVIL; ON THE INCARNATION OF THE WORD; WHY GOD BECAME MAN; ON THE VIRGIN CONCEPTION AND ORIGINAL SIN; ON THE PROCESSION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT; DE CONCORDIA (THE COMPATIBILITY OF GOD'S FOREKNOWLEDGE, PREDESTINATION AND GRACE WITH HUMAN FREEDOM; DE GRAMMATICO; PHILOSOPHICAL FRAGMENTS; INDEX

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Translated with an uncanny sense for the overall point of Augustine's doctrine. In short, a very good translation. The Introduction is admirably clear." -- Paul Vincent Spade, Indiana University.

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Book SynopsisHegel's Encyclopaedia Logic contains the most explicit formulation of his enduringly influential dialectical method and of the categorical system underlying his thought. This volume presents it in a new translation with a helpful introduction and notes.Trade Review"....Encyclopaedia of the Philosophical Sciences in Basic Outline is an outstanding and inspiring guide through Hegel’s work. This book is a very valuable resource and will spark an industry of debate and elaboration." --George Lazaroiu, PhD, Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities and Social SciencesTable of ContentsIntroduction: Hegel's Encyclopaedia Logic; Translators' note; Encyclopaedia of Philosophical Sciences in Basic Outline: Volume 1: Logic by G. W. F. Hegel: Preface to the first edition; Preface to the second edition; Foreword to the third edition; Introduction; Preliminary conception; First subdivision of the logic: the doctrine of being; Second subdivision of the logic: the doctrine of essence; Third subdivision of the logic: the doctrine of the concept; Glossary.

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Book SynopsisWhat Socrates''s greatest failure says about a 2,000-year-old question: is it possible to teach ourselves and others to become better people? Can we make ourselves into better human beings? Can we help others do the same? Can we get our leaders to care that humanity prospers, not just economically, but also spiritually? These questions have been asked for over two millennia and attempting to answer them is crucial if we want to build a more just society. How to Be Good uses the story of Socrates and Alcibiades and examples from Aristotle, Marcus Aurelius and Machiavelli, alongside modern interpretations to explore what philosophy can teach us about the quest for virtue today. With a little work, day by day, we all have the power to pursue the timely and timeless art of living well.Trade ReviewPresents a rigorous theoretical foundation for ethical self-improvement with concrete steps-even a step-by-step syllabus!-for how we can become better people, how we can help others to do the same, and how we might influence our leaders and politicians to act virtuously. If only those in power would grab hold of this literary lifeline and take heed of Pigliucci's wisdom, humanity might just have a chance to flourish economically, materially, and spiritually -- Skye Cleary, author of 'How to Be Authentic'Massimo Pigliucci, who has elsewhere taught us to take seriously the precepts of ancient Stoicism, here looks further afield, above all to Plato, for insight into how we become virtuous people - or, too often, fail to. His expert account of ancient ethics will help us save our souls, and thereby, just maybe, save the world -- James Romm, author of 'The Sacred Band'With a deft but magically light hand, Pigliucci turns to case studies from Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Seneca and more to pose the most pressing question of our time: how do we put competent and wise leaders in office? A wonderful raconteur, Pigliucci brings the historical and philosophical texts of Greco-Roman antiquity to life with lessons about good character and leadership, whether we aspire to political office or not -- Nancy Sherman, author of 'Stoic Wisdom'It's not often that a book ostensibly about Socrates also comments knowledgeably on (Roman) Coriolanus and (Florentine) Machiavelli, but such is the breadth of learning of geneticist, biologist and philosopher Massimo Pigliucci (of New York's City College). Truly, as Plato's Socrates boldly declared, the examined life is for us humans the only one -- Paul Cartledge, A.G. Leventis Professor of Greek Culture, emeritus, University of Cambridge[An] enlightening study . . . This lucid and accessible tour through ancient philosophy offers valuable lessons for today -- Publishers WeeklyOne of the world's most renowned philosophers has found the secret to living a better life -- The Herald

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Book SynopsisRegarded today as the father of modern medicine, Paracelsus (1493-1541) was in fact much more besides. Natural scientist, philosopher, alchemist, with a deep distrust of orthodoxy and rational thought, he intermixed Christian theology with the Qabalah, believing that magic reveals the invisible influences behind things, bringing heavenly forces down to earth.

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Book SynopsisDrawn from a wide range of writings and featuring state-of-the-art translations, Basic Works offers convenient access to Thomas Aquinas' most important discussions of nature, being and essence, divine and human nature, and ethics and human action.The translations all capture Aquinas's sharp, transparent style and display terminological consistency. Many were originally published in the acclaimed translation-cum-commentary series The Hackett Aquinas, edited by Robert Pasnau and Jeffrey Hause. Others appear here for the first time: Eleonore Stump and Stephen Chanderbahn's translation of On the Principles of Nature, Peter King's translation of On Being and Essence, and Thomas Williams' translations of the treatises On Happiness and On Human Acts from the Summa theologiae.Basic Works will enable students to immerse themselves in Aquinas's thought by offering his fundamental works without internal abridgements. It will also appeal to anyone in search of an up-to-date, one-volume collection containing Aquinas' essential philosophical contributions--from the Five Ways to the immortality of the soul, and from the nature of happiness to virtue theory, and on to natural law.

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Book Synopsis'Men are infamous and detestable who are destroyers of religion, squanderers of kingdoms and republics, and enemies of the virtues.' Niccolo Machiavelli Machiavelli (1459-1527) is one of the most influential modern political thinkers. His works, above all The Prince, The Discourses on Livy, The Florentine Histories and The Art of War, are still passionately discussed and continue to give rise to new visions of political action. Against the trite commonplace that Machiavelli was a teacher of evil who justified political immorality, Maurizio Viroli shows that Machiavaelli was concerned instead with the best way to attain true glory through political action and that his works were inspired by a profound love of republican liberty. Extracts are taken from the whole corpus of Machiavelli's works, including his personal letters.

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Book SynopsisCovers topics such as Concerning Metaphysics, Man's Knowledge of God, The Existence of God, The Unicity of God, Concerning Human Knowledge, and The Spirituality and Immortality of the Human Soul.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThe best translation of these two treatises available in any language: accurate, lively, and readable. --Peter King, The Ohio State UniversityThis volume is excellent. The introduction presents the readings in a clear manner, one that is direct and comprehensible. Similarly, the translation is highly readable. The notes are helpful without being intrusive. In short, this is a volume I have enjoyed using with graduate students and will certainly plan to use with undergraduates. --Charles E. Butterworth, University of Maryland at College Park

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Daniel Frank has done a marvellous job of directing the Guide to the contemporary reader in the new Introduction. . . . The translation is a delight to read." --Joseph A. Buijs, University of Alberta"The book was an enormous success with our students, who were at many different levels, from first years to seniors. The translation was extremely accessible and the analysis made the material even clearer." --Ariel Goldberger, Evergreen State College

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Book SynopsisOffers notes on philosophical, theological, historical, and liturgical issues raised by the "Confessions", as well as paragraph numbers of the Latin critical edition, and an index.Trade Review"To my ears, Sheed’s translation is the most beautiful English translation available. The same electric current that runs through Augustine’s original can be felt in this translation, which combines a slightly elevated style (more elevated in direct prayers) combined with the immediacy and transparency of a street preacher (not that different from Augustine’s own style). The latest edition includes an introduction by Peter Brown, the best biographer of Augustine, and notes and commentary by Michael Foley, a truly excellent reader of Augustine." —Jared Ortiz, Hope College, in Catholic World Report"This translation is already a classic. It is the translation that has guided three generations of students and readers into a renewed appreciation of the beauty and urgency of a masterpiece of Christian autobiography. This is largely because the translator has caught not only the meaning of Augustine’s Confessions, but a large measure of its poetry. It makes the Latin sing in English as it did when it came from the pen of Augustine, some sixteen hundred years ago. Deeply rooted in the tradition of which Augustine was himself a principal founder, this translation is not only modern: it is a faithful echo, in a language that has carried throughout the ages, of its author’s original passion and disquiet." —Peter BrownTable of ContentsBook One: The First Fifteen Years; Book Two: The Sixteenth Year; Book Three: From Sixteen to Eighteen; Book Four: From Eighteen to Twenty-Seven; Book Five: Aged Twenty-Eight; Book Six: Aged Twenty-Nine; Book Seven: Aged Thirty; Book Eight: Aged Thirty-One; Book Nine: Aged Thirty-Two; Book Ten: Augustine's Confession of His Present; Book Eleven: In the Beginning God Created (Genesis 1:1); Book Twelve: Heaven and Earth; Book Thirteen: The Days of Creation; Index.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewPerfect for presenting the core of St. Thomas' teachings on law, morality, and politics.--Charles E. Butterworth, University of MarylandThe best available selection of texts for the study of Aquinas' natural law doctrine.--Alfonso Gomez-Lobo, Georgetown University

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Book SynopsisThomas Williams' revision of Arthur Hyman and James J. Walsh's classic compendium of writings in the Christian, Islamic, and Jewish medieval philosophical traditions expands the breadth of coverage that helped make its predecessor the best known and most widely used collection of its kind.The third edition builds on the strengths of the second by preserving its essential shape while adding several important new texts--including works by Augustine, Boethius, Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, Anselm, al-Farabi, al-Ghazali, Ibn Rushd, Bonaventure, Thomas Aquinas, and John Duns Scotus--and featuring new translations of many others.The volume has also been redesigned and its bibliographies updated with the needs of a new generation of students in mind.

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Book SynopsisPlatonic Theology is the visionary and philosophical masterpiece of Marsilio Ficino (1433–1499), the Florentine scholar-philosopher-magus largely responsible for the Renaissance revival of Plato. This work, translated into English for the first time, is a key to understanding the art, thought, culture, and spirituality of the Renaissance.Trade ReviewAn aristocratic devotion to our culture continues to manifest itself even today in the most prestigious centers of study and thought. One has merely to look at the very recent (begun in 2001), rigorous and elegant humanistic series of Harvard University, with the original Latin text, English translation, introduction and notes. -- Vittore Branca * Il Sole 24 Ore *The editing and translation of Ficino's text has been done superbly well. Allen and Hankins have begun a work of scholarship of the highest calibre, whose continuation is eagerly awaited. * British Journal for the History of Philosophy *The Loeb Classical Library...has been of incalculable benefit to generations of scholars...It seems certain that the I Tatti Renaissance Library will serve a similar purpose for Renaissance Latin texts, and that, in addition to its obvious academic value, it will facilitate a broadening base of participation in Renaissance Studies...These books are to be lauded not only for their principles of inclusivity and accessibility, and for their rigorous scholarship, but also for their look and feel. Everything about them is attractive: the blue of their dust jackets and cloth covers, the restrained and elegant design, the clarity of the typesetting, the quality of the paper, and not least the sensible price. This is a new set of texts well worth collecting. -- Kate Lowe * Times Literary Supplement *Ficino set out to show that the ancient Neoplatonic philosophy embodied a "gentile theological tradition," one that complemented the Mosaic revelation to the Jews and prepared its devotees for the final truths of Christianity. Ficino worked in full knowledge of the internal complications of Neoplatonism. He wrote and argued in styles that ranged from the logical and synthetic to the poetic and evocative, as he struggled to find ways to prove that the universe was orderly and governed by a Creator and to lay out the place within it of the immortal human soul. -- Anthony T. Grafton * New York Review of Books *

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Book SynopsisTreatise on Divine Predestination is one of the early writings of the author of the great philosophical work Periphyseon (On the Division of Nature), Johannes Scottus (the Irishman), known as Eriugena (died c. 877 A.D.). It contributes to the age-old debate on the question of human destiny in the present world and in the afterlife.The work survives in a single manuscript of which editions were published in 1650 and 1853. It has been most recently edited in 1978. The present translation was made from that edition. Modern scholars are able to discern in this early work strong intimations of Eriugena''s later major writings.Trade Review“The De divina praedestinatione liber was written in 850-51 at the request of two prelates while John the Scot resided at the court of Charles II, grandson of Charlemagne. It is his earliest attested work, a refutation of the heretical teaching of Gottschalk on double predestination. Both John and Gottschalk claimed to base their interpretation on St. Augustine, and both continued to be subjects of controversy during the decade between 850 and 860.” —Theology Digest“Mary Brennan’s translation is as helpful as her foreword. The rendition into English of Madec’s text from the Corpus Christianorum is careful. The book is elegantly produced and a delight to read.” —The Medieval Review

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Book SynopsisPeter Adamson presents an engaging and wide-ranging introduction to two great intellectual cultures: Byzantium and the Italian Renaissance. First he tells the story of philosophy in the Eastern Christian world, from the 8th century to the 15th century, then he explores the rebirth of philosophy in Italy in the era of Machiavelli and Galileo.Trade ReviewEach brief chapter immediately captures the interest of the reader in a way that is entertaining, informative, and a genuine pleasure to read. Excellent notes and bibliography of further reading. * P. A. Streveler, CHOICE *The understanding that philosophy is a purely rational endeavor is a form of presentism that arises out ofmodern rationalism and, more generally... we should be grateful to Adamson for addressing the issue and for providing students of Byzantine and Renaissance philosophy with an accessible overview of the respective material. * Speculum 98/4 *Table of ContentsPreface Philosophy in Byzantium 1: The Empire Strikes Back: Introduction to Byzantine Philosophy 2: On the Eastern Front: Philosophy in Syriac and Armenian 3: Don't Picture This: Iconoclasm 4: Behind Enemy Lines: John of Damascus 5: Collectors' Items: Photius and Byzantine Compilations 6: Consul of the Philosophers: Michael Psellos 7: Hooked on Classics: Italos and the Debate over Pagan Learning 8: Purple Prose: Byzantine Political Philosophy 9: Elements of Style: Rhetoric in Byzantium 10: Past Masters: Byzantine Historiography 11: Queen of the Sciences: Anna Komnene and her Circle 12: Wiser than Men: Gender in Byzantium 13: Just Measures: Law, Money, and War in Byzantium 14: Made by Hand: Byzantine Manuscripts 15: Georgia on My Mind: Petritsi and the Proclus Revival 16: People of the South: Byzantium and Islam 17: Do the Math: Science in the Palaiologan Renaissance 18: Through His Works You Shall Know Him: Palamas and Hesychasm 19: United We Fall: Latin Philosophy in Byzantium 20: Platonic Love: Gemistos Plethon 21: Istanbul (not Constantinople): the Later Orthodox Tradition The Italian Renaissance 22: Old News: Introduction to the Renaissance 23: Greeks Bearing Gifts: Byzantine Scholars in Italy 24: Republic of Letters: Italian Humanism 25: Literary Criticism: Lorenzo Valla 26: Difficult to be Good: Humanist Ethics 27: Chance Encounters: Reviving Hellenistic philosophy 28: We Built This City: Christine de Pizan 29: More Rare Than the Phoenix: Italian Women Humanists 30: All About Eve: the Defense of Women 31: I'd Like to Thank the Academy: Florentine Platonism 32: Footnotes to Plato: Marsilio Ficino 33: True Romance: Theories of Love 34: As Far as East from West: Jewish Philosophy in Renaissance Italy 35: The Count of Concord: Pico della Mirandola 36: What a Piece of Work is Man: Manetti and Pico on Human Nature 37: Bonfire of the Vanities: Savonarola 38: The Sweet Restraints of Liberty: Republicanism and Civic Humanism 39: No More Mr Nice Guy: Machiavelli 40: Sense of Humors: Machiavelli on Republicanism 41: The Teacher of Our Actions: Renaissance Historiography 42: No Place Like Home: Renaissance Utopias 43: Greed is Good: Renaissance Economics 44: Town and Gown: Italian Universities 45: I'd Like to Thank the Lyceum: Aristotle in Renaissance Italy 46: Of Two Minds: Pomponazzi and Nifo on the Intellect 47: There and Back Again: Zabarella on Scientific Method 48: The Measure of All Things: Mathematics and Art 49: Just What the Doctor Ordered: Renaissance Medicine 50: Man of Discoveries: Girolamo Cardano 51: Spirits in the Material World: Telesio and Campanella on Nature 52: The Men Who Saw Tomorrow: Renaissance Magic and Astrology 53: Boundless Enthusiasm: Giordano Bruno 54: The Harder They Fall: Galileo and the Renaissance

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Book SynopsisHistories you can trust.The Renaissance is one of the most celebrated periods in European history. But when did it begin? When did it end? And what did it include?Traditionally regarded as a revival of classical art and learning, centred upon fifteenth-century Italy, views of the Renaissance have changed considerably in recent decades. The glories of Florence and the art of Raphael and Michelangelo remain an important element of the Renaissance story, but they are now only a part of a much wider story which looks beyond an exclusive focus on high culture, beyond the Italian peninsula, and beyond the fifteenth century.The Oxford History of the Renaissance tells the cultural history of this broader and longer Renaissance: from seminal figures such as Dante and Giotto in thirteenth-century Italy, to the waning of Spain''s ''golden age'' in the 1630s, and the closure of the English theatres in 1642, the date generally taken to mark the end of the English literary Renaissance.Geographically, the story ranges from Spanish America to Renaissance Europe''s encounter with the Ottomansand far beyond, to the more distant cultures of China and Japan. And thematically, under Gordon Campbell''s expert editorial guidance, the volume covers the whole gamut of Renaissance civilization, with chapters on humanism and the classical tradition; war and the state; religion; art and architecture; the performing arts; literature; craft and technology; science and medicine; and travel and cultural exchange.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition [This] is a book that will not disappoint. Whether readers are well-versed in the field of Renaissance studies or simply have a casual interest in this fascinating subject, they will find much to enjoy. Though the concepts discussed are far from simplistic, the tone is highly readable. This book will be a welcome addition to any library on the subject. * All About History *Based on the latest historical research but aimed at the general reader, the Oxford "Histories" have maintained a very high standard over the years. This volume, edited by the great Renaissance scholar, Gordon Campbell, certainly maintains the Oxford University Press reputation for excellence. * Ed Voves, Art Eyewitness *Table of ContentsIntroduction Gordon Campbell: The Renaissance 1: Peter Mack: Humanism and the Classical Tradition 2: David Parrott: War and the State: c. 1400-1650 3: Stella Fletcher: Religion 4: Paula Nuttall and Richard Williams: The Civilisation of the Renaissance 5: Francis Ames-Lewis: Art and Architecture: Italy and Beyond 6: Paula Nuttall and Richard Williams: Art and Architecture: Flanders and Beyond 7: Margaret McGowan: The Performing Arts: Festival, Music, Drama, Dance 8: Warren Boutcher: Vernacular Literature 9: Pamela Long, Andrew Morrall: Craft and Technology in Renaissance Europe 10: Paula Findlen: The Renaissance of Science 11: Peter Burke and Felipe Fernández-Armesto: The Global Renaissance Further Reading Index

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This volume provides a brief and accessible introduction to the 9th-century philosopher and theologian John Scottus Eriugena, who was perhaps the most important philosophical thinker to appear in Latin Christendom in the period between Augustine and Anselm. Eriugena was known as the interpreter of Greek thought to the Latin West, particularly as teacher to Frankish emperor Charles the Bald, and this book emphasizes the relation of Eriugena''s thought to his Greek and Latin sources, while also looking at his speculative philosophy.

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Book SynopsisGiordano Bruno (1548-1600) is one of the great figures of early modern Europe, and one of the least understood. This biography establishes him once and for all as a peer of Erasmus, Shakespeare, and Galileo - a thinker whose vision of the world prefigures ours.Trade Review"Whatever else Bruno was, he was wild-minded and extreme, and Rowland communicates this, together with a sense of the excitement that his ideas gave him.... It's that feeling for the explosiveness of the period, and Rowland's admiration of Bruno for participating in it - indeed, dying for it - that is the central and most cherishable quality of the biography." - Joan Acocella, New Yorker "Rowland tells this great story in moving, vivid prose, concentrating as much on Bruno's thought as on his life.... His restless mind, as she makes clear, not only explored but transformed the heavens." - Anthony Grafton, New York Review of Books "Bruno seems to have been an unclassifiable mixture of foul-mouthed Neapolitan mountebank, loquacious poet, religious reformer, scholastic philosopher, and slightly wacky astronomer." - Anthony Gottlieb, New York Times Book Review "A marvelous feat of scholarship.... This is intellectual biography at its best." - Peter N. Miller, New Republic "An excellent starting point for anyone who wants to rediscover the historical figure concealed beneath the cowl on Campo de' Fiori." - Paula Findlen, Nation "A loving and thoughtful account of Bruno's life and thought, satires and sonnets, dialogues and lesson plans, vagabond days and star-spangled nights.... Ingrid D. Rowland has her reasons for preferring Bruno to Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler, even Galileo and Leonardo, and they're good ones." - John Leonard, Harper's"

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Book SynopsisSince its publication in 1677, Spinoza's Ethics has fascinated philosophers, novelists, and scientists alike. It is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and contested works of Western philosophy. Written in an austere, geometrical fashion, the work teaches us how we should live, ending with an ethics in which the only thing good in itself is understanding. Spinoza argues that only that which hinders us from understanding is bad and shows that those endowed with a human mind should devote themselves, as much as they can, to a contemplative life. This Companion volume provides a detailed, accessible exposition of the Ethics. Written by an internationally known team of scholars, it is the first anthology to treat the whole of the Ethics and is written in an accessible style.Trade Review'Olli Koistinen's 'companion' to Spinoza's Ethics is exactly what it claims to be. … The methodological breadth of the contributions is impressive.' British Journal for the History of PhilosophyTable of ContentsIntroduction Olli Koistinen and Valtteri Viljanen; 1. The textual history of Spinoza's Ethics Piet Steenbakkers; 2. The geometrical order in the Ethics Piet Steenbakkers; 3. Spinoza's ontology Valtteri Viljanen; 4. Substance monism and identity theory in Spinoza Andreas Schmidt; 5. Spinoza and the Stoics on substance monism Jon Miller; 6. Spinoza on necessity Charles Jarrett; 7. Knowledge in Spinoza's Ethics Diane Steinberg; 8. Spinoza on action Ollie Koistinen; 9. The anatomy of the passions Michael LeBuffe; 10. Freedom, slavery, and the passions Susan James; 11. Spinoza's theory of the good Andrew Youpa; 12. The power of reason in Spinoza Martin Lin; 13. Spinoza on the essence of the human body and the part of the mind that is eternal Don Garrett.

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Book SynopsisThomas More remains one of the most enigmatic thinkers in history, due in large part to the enduring mysteries surrounding his best-known work, Utopia. He has been variously thought of as a reformer and a conservative, a civic humanist and a devout Christian, a proto-communist and a monarchical absolutist.Trade Review"For too long, there have been multiple Mores: Thomas More – the 'man for all seasons' – has also seemed to be a man of many faces: More's identities as a statesman, humanist, and saint have seemed riven from each other and bafflingly incompatible. In this brilliant, lucid, and pithy account, Joanne Paul reunites More with himself by identifying the central idea that animated his thought and action. This is an original and illuminating work that should be compulsory for any reader of Utopia."�Suzannah Lipscomb, New College of the Humanities "A well-organized introduction to Thomas More's body of writing, some published only posthumously, which deftly introduces a general university-level reader to his written corpus."�Bethany Wiggin, University of Pennsylvania "Fascinating...Paul shows an impressive mastery of the assorted, disparate aspects of More�s work."� Spiked ReviewTable of ContentsPreface vi Abbreviations ix Key Dates xi Introduction: The Thought of Thomas More 1 1 Early Life, Education and Poetry 15 2 Utopia and ‘Common Things’ 29 3 Richard III and the Stage Play of Politics 60 4 The Common Corps of Christendom 83 5 Influence 116 Conclusion 141 Notes 146 References 158 Recommended Reading 169 Index 174

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Book SynopsisPart of the encyclopedia of science and philosophy, The Healing, this first volume represents arguably the most brilliant mind of late antiquity grappling with and rethinking the entire tradition of natural philosophy inherited from the Greeks as well as the physical thought of Muslim speculative theologians.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewWilliams's translations are scrupulously faithful and accurate without being slavishly literal, and yet are lively and graceful.--Paul Vincent Spade, Indiana University

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Book SynopsisA study of the presiding genius of the Florentine Academy.Trade Review'The reader turning to this book for knowledge and self-knowledge will be delighted to find it so instructive, enjoyable, and ‘user-friendly.’ With Tom Moore as guide you will feel at home in the marvelous world of Renaissance Hermetism, its psychological and astrological insights, its music, its madness. How much Moore knows and how generous he is in giving it go the reader.'-- James Hillman, author of The Soul’s Code: In Search of Character and Calling and Emotion: A Comprehensive Phenomenology of Theories and Their Meaning for Therapy'In his presentation of psychological insight and understanding informed by Renaissance astrology and musicology, Dr. Moore’s clarity with complex matters is topped only by his wisdom. To tune the fantasy of a ‘well-tempered life’ with the disharmonic of ‘necessary madness’ is precisely the soulful genius that Dr. Moore’s master, Ficino, would have loved.'-- David Miller, author of Orestes: Myth and Dream as Catharsis

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Book SynopsisThis book offers an original contribution to debates about the problem of evil and the existence of God. It develops a Thomistic, Christian theodicy, the aim of which is to help us better understand not only why God allows evil, but also how God works to redeem it.In the authorâs view, the existence of evil does not generate any intellectual problem that theists must address or solve to vindicate God or the rationality of theism. This is because acknowledging the existence of evil rationally leads us to acknowledge the existence of God. However, understanding how these two facts are compatible still requires addressing weighty, wide-ranging questions concerning God and evil. The author draws on diverse elements of Aquinasâs philosophy and theology to build an argument that evil only exists within Godâs world because God has created and continues to sustain so much good. Moreover, God can and does bring good out of all evil, both cosmically and within the context of our own, i

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Book SynopsisThis book argues that the moral quality of an act comes from the agentâs inner states. By arguing for the indispensable relevance of intention in the moral evaluation of acts, the book moves against a mainstream, objective approach in normative ethics.It is commonly held that the intentions, knowledge, and volition of agents are irrelevant to the moral permissibility of their acts. This book stresses that the capacities of agency, rather than simply the label agent, must be engaged during an act if its moral evaluation is to be coherent. The author begins with an ontological argument that an act is a motion or a causing of change in something else. He argues that the source of an actâs moral meaning is in the agent: specifically, what the agent, if aware of relevant facts around her, aims to accomplish. He then moves to a series of critical chapters that consider arguments for mainstream approaches to act evaluation, including Thomsonâs dismissal of the agent knowledge and vo

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Book SynopsisThis bold new work offers a discussion of the topic of truth from simultaneously philosophical and theological perspectives. It argues for the value of a metaphysical approach to truth. This approach defends the notion that truth cannot be separated from what the author calls 'the reality of the thinking soul'.

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