William of Ockham, Dialogus Part 1, Book 7

The Dialogus was a key reference text during the Middle Ages, particularly during the Great Schism. Its ideal of an enlightened papacy did not survive the Reformation, but its principles influenced political philosophers and contributed to the rise of constitutional liberalism and responsible government. Part I of the Dialogus is a monument to the potential emergence of cooperative political societies from autocracies and demonstrates Ockham's pragmatic political orientation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 378 pages
Publication date: 03 August 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The Dialogus emerged as a significant reference text during the latter half of the Middle Ages, particularly during the challenging period marked by the Great Schism. It found its way into print twice in the later 15th century, with one of its most exquisite manuscripts being in the possession of Pope Sixtus IV. While its ideal of an enlightened papacy (monarchia de concilio peritorum) did not endure the Reformation, many of its principles found their way into the writings of political philosophers, alongside other influences, contributing to the rise of constitutional liberalism and responsible government. This concluding book of Dialogus, Part I, serves as both a celebration of the potential emergence of cooperative political societies from the remnants of autocracies and a testament to Ockham's pragmatic political orientation.

The Dialogus gained prominence as a crucial reference text during the final two centuries of the Middle Ages, particularly during the turbulent era associated with the Great Schism. It received two printings in the later 15th century, with one of its most exquisite manuscripts belonging to Pope Sixtus IV. While its vision of an enlightened papacy (monarchia de concilio peritorum) did not withstand the Reformation, numerous principles from the Dialogus permeated the writings of political philosophers, alongside other influences, contributing to the rise of constitutional liberalism and responsible government. This concluding book of Dialogus, Part I, serves as a celebration of the potential emergence of cooperative political societies from the remnants of autocracies, as well as a testament to Ockham's pragmatic political orientation.

Weight: 702g
Dimension: 240 x 161 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197267523