Philosophy And Civilization in the Middle Ages

by Maurice de Wulf

This classic study offers an accessible view of medieval history, covering scholastic, ecclesiastic, classicist, and secular thought of the 12th and 13th centuries. From Anselm and Abelard to Thomas Aquinas and William of Occam, it chronicles the influence of the era's great philosophers on their contemporaries as well as on subsequent generations.

Genres: Philosophy, History, Medieval, Medieval History

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1922

About the author

1867-1947

Reviews

[Andy]

Its only halfway through that he really gets to the meat of medieval philosphical ideas. The first half is expository, setting the stage for the development of them. But this half is pretty repetitive, I think it couldve been reduced down to two or even one chapter. De Wulf also presents a fairly idealized view of medieval society. Although he is trying to combat prejudiced views about this time period, I think he swings a little too far in the other direction. Perhaps he is an exponent of the idea that you should judge a society more on its highest ideals than its lived realities.

Books based off lectures often have this meandering repetitive nature though. The last half made it worth reading.

[Mesoscope · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting overview of the literary culture of the High Middle Ages, reflecting an extremely dated and often-farcical degree of approbation for the Catholic church. Contains some insights, and the prose is well-written enough. Worth scanning.