Byzantine and Renaissance Philosophy: A History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps, Volume 6

The book explores the Byzantine Empire and the Italian Renaissance's rich intellectual history, tracing the development of philosophy from early figures to late Byzantine scholars and the impact of cultural phenomena on philosophy. It also highlights the connection between the two cultures, with thinkers of the Greek East helping to spark the humanist movement in Italy. The book covers various areas of philosophy, including theories of economics and aesthetics, and explores major historical themes such as the humanist engagement with ancient literature, the emergence of women humanists, and the flowering of Republican government in Renaissance Italy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 512 pages
Publication date: 10 February 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Peter Adamson delves into the profound intellectual heritage of the Byzantine Empire and the Italian Renaissance, offering a captivating and comprehensive exploration of the minds and movements of these two remarkable cultural epochs. In the first part of his work, Adamson traces the evolution of philosophy in the Eastern Christian world, spanning from the early figures of John of Damascus in the eighth century to the late Byzantine scholars of the fifteenth century. He introduces key figures such as Michael Psellos, Anna Komnene, and Gregory Palamas, examining the philosophical significance of cultural phenomena such as iconoclasm and notions of gender. The chapters also delve into the lesser-known philosophical traditions of Syriac, Armenian, and Georgian cultures. The second half of the book closely connects to the first, as thinkers from the Greek East played a crucial role in igniting the humanist movement in Italy. Adamson narrates the revival of philosophy in fifteenth and sixteenth-century Italy, featuring renowned names like Christine de Pizan, Niccolò Machiavelli, Giordano Bruno, and Galileo. However, as is customary in this book series, Adamson also presents lesser-known contemporaries, including intriguing figures such as Lorenzo Valla, Girolamo Savonarola, and Bernardino Telesio. Major historical themes explored include the humanist engagement with ancient literature, the rise of women humanists, the flourishing of Republican government in Renaissance Italy, the coexistence of Aristotelian and scholastic philosophy alongside humanism, and groundbreaking advancements in science. All branches of philosophy, from economic and aesthetic theories to accounts of the human mind, are examined in depth within this comprehensive work.

Weight: 752g
Dimension: 242 x 163 x 47 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192856418