Aristotle's Children: How Christians, Muslims, and Jews Rediscovered Ancient Wisdom and Illuminated the Dark Ages
by Richard E. Rubenstein
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 92)
Read in December, 2007
recommends it for:
history or philosophy buffs
I found this book a wonderful read. I had known about the preservation and commentary on Greek texts by Islamic and Jewish scholars and how the works and commentaries were discovered by Europeans after the invasion of Spain. I was not aware of the influence of Aristotle through the theological debates of the dark or middle ages. The book put several historical characters of whom I had heard only in passing into a more full and comprehensible context.
The book filled in gaps in my knowle...more
The book filled in gaps in my knowle...more
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Read in July, 2007
recommends it for:
humans
Okay. A book about the middle ages, right? Uh-huh. But wait, not only about the (ugh!) middle ages, but about PHILOSOPHY in the middle ages? You're kidding, right? But, you say, there's more? It's not just about medieval philosophy and philosophers, but also about the intricate, and delicate balance between rationalism and faith in revelation, is that what you're telling me? And about how three distinct strains emerging? One that rejected faith for reason, one that rejected reason for faith, and...more
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Read in June, 2006
Central to medieval philosophy was using reason aside from faith to prove the existence of God. I found it fascinating that in the so called "Dark Ages," there existed devout but enlightened thinkers who also recognize that curiosity is an indelible aspect of human nature--divinely given or not. The book actually helped to distill a lot of what I felt was the weighty, cumbersome writing, which perhaps was the style of the time. Only Peter Abelard seem to have a very fluid, engaging ...more
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Read in September, 2008
This is a fairly good poplar history of ideas. Rubenstein presents reasonable synopses of relevant ideas and debates. He adds interesting tidbits about various thinkers lives to keep your interest, but these are dealt with fairly superficially. If you are interested in social or economic forces or looking for substantive philosophical investigations, don't bother reading this book. But, if you want a light introduction to the intellectual history of the middle ages with and emphasis on the role ...more
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If you like history and philosophy this is a wonderful read. Rubenstein presents the major European scholars of the late Middle Ages. They were religious, philosophical, and scientific thinkers. You probably did not learn this in school unless you went to divinity school.
One of Rubenstein's major theses is the European Renaissance did not spring sui generis but was built upon the foundational thinking of these men, such as William of Ockham, Peter Abelard and their contemporaries.
One of Rubenstein's major theses is the European Renaissance did not spring sui generis but was built upon the foundational thinking of these men, such as William of Ockham, Peter Abelard and their contemporaries.
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Read in April, 2008
wonderful "pop" narrative of what happens to Aristotle's texts and philosophy through the medieval period. Very clear and compelling writing, and nice coherent storyline. Not a scholarly book, but reasonable explanations of lots of tough stuff. Could have used a bit more substance on the Augustine part.
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Read in May, 2008
A must read for anyone who wants to understand the spread of knowledge from the ancient world to the modern world. This book changed much of what I was taught in school and helps explain the complexities of our current world of 'knowledge'.
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Read in January, 2008
Good book about what the subtitle says, how the works of Aristotle were rediscovered in Europe and the effect that had on transforming thought in the middle ages.
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It's fascinating to find out that actual stuff went on between the fall of Rome and the Renaissance. Interesting stuff, too.
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good non-fiction history of the travels of Aristotles thought. interesting info on Boethius & Peter of Ablhard
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Read in October, 2008
recommended to Tresuiri by:
Recoded Books, Inc.
This book was very good in giving an overview of Aristotle's work as it survived its passage of time. It did focus heavily on its affect on Christianity since it was the dominant form of religion for the past two centuries. I enjoyed the sewing together of religious history and prominent philosophical figures for a generous overview. I particularly enjoyed the highlight of various heretical views of rogue Christian factions through time as Mr. Rubenstein chronicled the Catholic Church's histo...more
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Read in June, 2008
There was a time when Muslims, Christians and Jews worked side by side to understand the world.
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Superb history of philosophy and well reasoned exposition of western prejudice.
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Kayla and I are actually listening to this book right now.
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