Medieval Answers to Modern Problems

The Middle Ages were not only times of military conflicts, the formation of nations, and the rise of the Catholic Church, but also an era defined by profound exploration of what is magnificent and sublime in all aspects of life, including spirituality, aesthetics, architecture, ethics, religion, and philosophy.

Through a carefully curated collection of readings and sources, Medieval Answers to Modern Problems focuses on critical issues that have concerned people throughout time and illustrates how studying the Middle Ages from an interdisciplinary perspective can shed light on contemporary efforts to deal with these issues.

The book explores a variety of themes from philosophical musings on happiness and misfortune to practical applications of medieval jurisprudence and social theory. It encompasses a synthesis of historical, literary, and philosophical discussions that extract relevant insights for dealing with today's societal and individual challenges. The third edition has been shortened and streamlined to make the content more digestible for students.

Recommended for interdisciplinary courses that focus on the intersections between history, literature, philosophy, and ethics, as well as for courses in medieval studies, Medieval Answers to Modern Problems challenges readers, promotes critical thinking, and demonstrates just how much can be learned from the past.

Albrecht Classen is a University Distinguished Professor of German Studies at the University of Arizona, where he teaches and researches medieval and early modern European literature, culture, and art history. He has published more than 135 scholarly monographs, editions, translations, critical volumes, and textbooks, and more than 880 articles.