Overview

Humanist prejudice famously made medieval angelology the paradigm of ludicrous speculation with its caricature of “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?” The truth is quite the opposite: many of medieval philosophy’s most original and ingenious contributions actually came to light in discussions of angelology. In fact, angelology provided an ideal context for discussing issues such as the structure of the universe, the metaphysical texture of creatures (e.g. esse-essentia composition and the principle of individuation), and theories of time, knowledge, freedom, and linguistics—issues which, for the most part, are still highly relevant for contemporary philosophy. Because this specifically philosophical interest in angels developed mainly during the course of the thirteenth and early fourteenth century, this volume centers on the period from Bonaventure to Ockham. It also, however, discusses some original positions by earlier thinkers such as Augustine and Anselm of Canterbury. Its nine thorough studies bring to light some neglected but highly fascinating aspects of medieval philosophy, thus filling an important gap in the literature. Contributors include: Richard Cross, Gregory T. Doolan, H.J.M.J. Goris, Tobias Hoffmann, Peter King, Timothy B. Noone, Giorgio Pini, Bernd Roling, and John F. Wippel.

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The issue of the role of angels in the history of Christian medieval spirituality [...] will greatly benefit from the intellectual rigour and clarity of the present volume . Isabel Iribarren, Universite de Strasbourg. In: British Journal for the History of Philosophy, Vol. 21, No. 1 (2013), pp. 201-3. illuminating, well-informed and often at the cutting edge of scholarship . Wayne Hankey, Dalhousie University. In: The Journal of Ecclesiastical History, Vol. 65, No. 1 (January 2014), pp. 168-9. The volume is beautifully edited and tightly organized [...] there is no disputing the consistent quality and sophistication of these essays. Byron Nelson (WVU), in The Sixteenth Century Journal, XLIV.3, pp. 825-6 The fine essays in this volume provide not only a fascinating account of medieval angelology in its more philosophical aspects but engage in philosophical reflection on the various problems chosen for study in ways that can be important for contemporary philosophical insights every bit as much as during the medieval period. Joseph W. Koterski, S.J. (Fordham University) in International Philosophical Quarterly, 54.1, pp. 110-2

The issue of the role of angels in the history of Christian medieval spirituality [...] will greatly benefit from the intellectual rigour and clarity of the present volume . Isabel Iribarren, Universite de Strasbourg. In: British Journal for the History of Philosophy, Vol. 21, No. 1 (2013), pp. 201-203. illuminating, well-informed and often at the cutting edge of scholarship . Wayne Hankey, Dalhousie University. In: The Journal of Ecclesiastical History, Vol. 65, No. 1 (January 2014), pp. 168-169.

Author Information

Tobias Hoffmann, Ph.D. (1999) in Philosophy, University of Fribourg, Switzerland, is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the Catholic University of America. He has published extensively on practical philosophy and metaphysics, especially in Aquinas, Henry of Ghent, and Duns Scotus.

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