Free Downloads

Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671

Robert Pasnau traces the developments of metaphysical thinking through four rich but for the most part neglected centuries of philosophy, running from the thirteenth century through to the seventeenth. At no period in the history of philosophy, other than perhaps our own, have metaphysical problems received the sort of sustained attention they received during the later Middle Ages, and never has a whole philosophical tradition come crashing down as quickly and completely as did scholastic philosophy in the seventeenth century. The thirty chapters work through various fundamental metaphysical issues, sometimes focusing more on scholastic thought, sometimes on the seventeenth century. Pasnau begins with the first challenges to the classical scholasticism of Bonaventure and Thomas Aquinas, runs through prominent figures like John Duns Scotus and William Ockham, and ends in the seventeenth century, with the end of the first stage of developments in post-scholastic philosophy: on the continent, with Descartes and Gassendi, and in England, with Boyle and Locke.

Paperback: 810 pages

Publisher: Oxford University Press; 1 edition (March 1, 2013)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0199674485

ISBN-13: 978-0199674480

Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 1.8 x 6.7 inches

Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #597,183 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #189 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Medieval Thought #246 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > Philosophy > Metaphysics #1019 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Metaphysics

For a long time I've been trying to find a good, accessible introduction to medieval philosophy. This is the only such book I've come across (albeit it only covers Scholastic metaphysics, rather than all of medieval philosophy). Note that while this is purportedly a book about late Scholastic metaphysics it actually discusses a lot of early Scholastic metaphysics as well (e.g. Aquinas, Scotus). Pasnau does a great job explaining various metaphysical positions Scholastic philosophers held. The book is well-organized (the various topics are clearly set off from each other) and Pasnau writes in a highly readable, conversational style. A couple of minor quibbles: at certain points it felt like the thread got a bit mired in detailed Scholastic arguments. Granted, it can be rewarding figuring out such arguments, but they also can interrupt the flow. Perhaps the issue here is at certain times the book reads like a survey and at other times it gets a bit scholarly, and can't figure out exactly what it wants to be. Another quibble is that Pasnau sometimes uses words like "exist" and "being" when describing people's views and you're not sure what exactly he means by them. Perhaps Pasnau intentionally avoided this issue because it's a difficult one, but some acknowledgement of the difficulty with these words would've been nice (maybe there could've been a small section about these words somewhere in the beginning.) Anyways, this is the only book that I feel has really helped me learn a lot about medieval philosophy, so if you're into the topic I'd suggest giving it a shot. (I also should note that I have a background in philosophy. If you do not have any background I wouldn't try to start with this!)

excellent text

You should read this text, but do not buy this book. I went to the bookstore when it came out to get a copy, they only had a softcover with a shoddy binding so i splurged and ordered the hardback thinking that for 100$ the pages would be sown in and might last a while. i was wrong. the binding in my book might be even worse than the softcover. oxford press?! what is going on here! Sad to see a magisterial book in such cheap clothes.

Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 The Great Themes of Scripture: Old Testament (Great Themes of Scripture Series) Giorgio de Chirico and the Metaphysical City: Nietzsche, Modernism, Paris The Revealing Word: A Dictionary of Metaphysical Terms (Charles Fillmore Reference Library) Detecting Texts: The Metaphysical Detective Story from Poe to Postmodernism The Metaphysical Club : A Story of Ideas in America The Quay Brothers: Into a Metaphysical Playroom Acedia and Its Discontents: Metaphysical Boredom in an Empire of Desire Let There Be Color: The Inspirational Christian Adult Coloring Book (Religious Themes and Inspiring Phrases) Valentino: Themes and Variations Classic Themes by the Masters: The Bastien Older Beginner Piano Library 5 Finger Movie Heroes: 9 Blockbuster Themes Arranged for Piano with Optional Duet Accompaniments Fifty Famous Classical Themes for Bassoon: Easy and Intermediate Solos for the Advancing Bassoon Player Teacher Created Materials - Early Childhood Themes: Las ruedas en el autobús (The Wheels on the Bus) - - Grade 2 (Literacy, Language, & Learning) (Spanish Edition) Teacher Created Materials - Early Childhood Themes: Wheels on the Bus - - Grade 2 (Literacy, Language & Learning Concept Books) Major Bible Themes: 52 Vital Doctrines of the Scripture Simplified and Explained Constructive Theology: A Contemporary Approach to Classic Themes: A Project of The Workgroup On Constructive Christian Theology Cook like a Caterer: Party Sized Recipes for Entertaining and Catering. Over 240 party sized recipes suited for a variety of themes. Included is an ... for recipes that work well as a station. Needlepoint and Pattern: Themes and Variations Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes: Revised and Complete Edition