Medieval Philosophy - History of Western Philosophy (Volume 3) (Academic Edition)

Author: Huang Yusheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-12-01
Features: This book is a grand panorama of Western philosophy, providing a detailed introduction to Patristic philosophy, Augustine's Christian philosophy, philosophy in the Dark Ages, the origins and flourishing of Scholasticism, and Thomas Aquinas's path of proof, among others. It is suitable for philosophers to reference and study. The book discusses the fundamental principles revealed through the encounter and convergence of philosophical reflection with Christian faith practices. The principles revealed by philosophical reflection are, in fact, the principles of reason itself. Since these principles are developed within the reflective activity of Christian faith, we regard them here as intrinsic principles of Christianity—principles that are inherent in reason and therefore consistent with reason. It should be noted that Christianity is not limited to the principles discussed here. For philosophers, Christianity remains an open system awaiting further understanding, just as philosophy itself is an open and free system. We discuss these three major principles here only because, in our view, their establishment in philosophy holds profound significance for shaping philosophy itself. It is precisely the establishment of these three principles that enables philosophy to move beyond the sacred path of upholding the absolute principles of history, the absolute freedom of humanity in history, and thus the absolute rights, dignity, and responsibilities of humanity in history. In this sense, the rationalization of faith also means the sanctification of philosophy.