Varieties of Voluntarism in Medieval and Early Modern Philosophy

This book explores voluntarism in medieval and early modern philosophy, drawing insights from crossing the traditional divide between the medieval and early modern periods. It emphasizes the role of the will in analyzing philosophical questions and problems and discusses psychological, ethical, and theological voluntarism. The chapters address topics such as irrationality, uncontinent actions, the nature of the will, political freedom, and the relations between divine and eternal truths, engaging with both well-known and lesser-known figures.

Format: Hardback
Length: 294 pages
Publication date: 06 February 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the diverse forms of voluntarism that emerged during the thirteenth to eighteenth centuries,transcending the traditional boundary between the medieval and early modern periods. By doing so,it offers invaluable insights into the historical development of voluntarism, shedding light on its evolution and significance.

Voluntarism, a philosophical approach that emphasizes the role of the will in understanding fundamental philosophical questions and problems, has played a crucial role in the development of various theories of action, ethics, metaethics, and metaphysics since the Middle Ages. The chapters in this volume are organized into three distinct categories: psychological, ethical, and theological voluntarism. They explore a range of topics, including the threat of irrationality as a common objection to voluntarism, the explanation of uncontinent actions, the nature of the will as rational appetite, the relationship between intellect and will, the implications of different conceptions of the will for political freedom, and the connections between divine freedom and the modal status of eternal truths.

The book engages with a wide array of influential figures from both the medieval and early modern periods, including renowned scholars such as Thomas Aquinas, Henry of Ghent, William of Ockham, Francisco de Vitoria, René Descartes, Thomas Hobbes, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, Samuel Pufendorf, and Christian August Crusius. Additionally, it delves into the works of lesser-known figures such as Peter John Olivi, John of Pouilly, Catharine Trotter Cockburn, and Christian August Crusius, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of voluntarism in this period.

This book will be of interest to scholars and advanced students engaged in the study of medieval philosophy, early modern philosophy, ethics, and philosophy of religion. It provides a valuable resource for those seeking to explore the rich tapestry of voluntarist thought and its impact on the development of philosophical ideas.

Weight: 730g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032291062