John Scottus Eriugena (Great Medieval Thinkers) - Softcover

Carabine, Deirdre

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0195113624 ISBN 13: 9780195113624

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2000

Synopsis

John Scottus Eriugena, the ninth-century Irish philosopher and theologian, is known as the interpreter of Greek thought to the Latin West. He was perhaps the most important philosophical thinker to appear in Latin Christendom between Augustine in the fifth century and Anselm in the eleventh. In this volume, Deirdre Carabine provides a clear and accessible introduction--the only one available in the English language--to the thought of this important figure.
In part I, Carabine describes the intellectual revival of the ninth century and situates Eriugena's role within that movement. She looks closely at Eriugena's life and intellectual achievements, including his contribution to the theological controversy on predestination and his roles as teacher and translator of Greek thought. She also examines the Periphyson, undoubtedly Eriugena's most original and important work. In part II, Carabine discusses Eriugena's metaphysics, the structure of reality, the theocentric character of creation, and the role of the trinity and the primordial causes. In particular, she explores Eriugena's employment of negative theology and his understanding of human nature. In conclusion, part III looks at Eriugena's interpretation of the return of all things to their source, including his belief that all people, saints and sinners alike, will return to paradise to the "vision" of a transcendent God.
Revealing the unique and compelling nature of Eriugena's thought, and showing why his work continues to appeal to a modern audience, this volume is required reading for students and scholars of medieval philosophy and theology.

About this title

About the Author

Deirdre Carabine is Professor and Director of the Institute of Ethics and Development Studies at Uganda Martyrs University.

Review

Dierdre Carabine analyzes very well Eriugena's fourfold division of nature into that which creates and is not created; that which is created and creates; that which is created and does not create; and that which is not created and does not create. [Her] writing is clear, concise, and
un-obtrusive. I strongly recommend the book..."--Theological Studies

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0195113624
• ISBN 13: 9780195113624
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 144