European Thought and Culture, 1350-1992: Burdens of Knowing

This book explores European thought between 1350 and 1992, arguing that it cannot be understood as a continent in intellectual terms or its history organized with respect to traditional spatial-geographic categories. It builds on this idea to argue that Europe's overweening drive to know more about humanity and the cosmos continually breached the boundaries set by venerable religious and philosophical traditions, with European thought slowly becoming unmoored. Michael J. Sauter illustrates this by pursuing historical themes across different chapters, offering a thorough overview of European thought during this period. The book concludes by explaining how contemporary culture has forgotten what early modern thinkers such as Michel de Montaigne still knew, namely, that too little skepticism toward one's own certainties makes one a danger to others.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 486 pages
\n Publication date: 07 June 2021
\n Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
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This book delves into the profound currents of European thought between 1350 and 1992, exploring these intellectual movements through two central lenses: culture as shaped by geographical location and the progressive detachment of thought from established religious and philosophical boundaries. By examining the period in the context of spatial thoughts history, the book challenges the notion of Europe as a continent in intellectual terms and proposes a new understanding of its history based on a culture that defined its own unique place.

Building upon this foundation, the book argues that Europe's insatiable thirst for knowledge about humanity and the cosmos relentlessly pushed the boundaries set by venerable religious and philosophical traditions. Spatial thought, in this regard, prioritized human understanding at the expense of unchanging wisdom, leading to the gradual unmooring of European thought as it relentlessly pursued knowledge at the cost of wisdom.

To illustrate this dynamic, the book employs a historical approach, tracing the development of European thought across various chapters, including the transition from the medieval period, the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment, Romanticism, the Industrial Revolution, and war and culture. Each chapter offers a thorough overview of European thought during these pivotal periods, providing a comprehensive understanding of the intellectual landscape of the continent.

In conclusion, this book serves as a valuable introduction to European thought, offering a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of the intellectual currents that have shaped Europe over the centuries. By challenging traditional perspectives and illuminating the complex interplay between culture, geography, and thought, it provides readers with a deeper appreciation of the rich tapestry of European intellectual history.

\n Weight: 746g\n
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 32 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780367902896\n \n