Medieval philosophy: Jews, Christians and Muslims on Plato and Aristotle

This unit explores the major traditions that flourished and dominated the philosophical landscape of the Middle Ages (here referring especially to the 9th-14th centuries). Tracing the transmission of philosophical texts among Muslims, Jews, and Christians in centres such as Baghdad, Cordoba, Toledo, and Italy/Sicily, this unit focuses on the reception and development of Neoplatonic and Aristotelian traditions. Topics covered may include: the nature of divinity and reality (metaphysics); creation vs emanation; negative theology; reason and revelation; soul; intellect; evil; political philosophy. Philosophers covered may include: From the Islamic tradition: Al Kindi, Al Farabi, Ibn Sina, Al Ghazali, Ibn Tufayl, Ibn Rushd; from the Jewish tradition: Saadia Gaon, Solomon Ibn Gabirol, Bahya ibn Paquda, Judah ha-Levi, Moses Maimonides; and from the Christian tradition: Albertus Magnus, Thomas Aquinas, Bonaventure, Duns Scotus. We will also consider the way in which mystics from each tradition incorporated and modified aspects of the philosophical heritage through the Zohar, Meister Eckhart, and Ibn al Arabi. Throughout we will focus on the rich intellectual cross-fertilisation that characterised the medieval philosophical world. The unit concludes by considering the importance of this cultural exchange for the Renaissance through the figure of Pico della Mirandola and his Oration on the Dignity of Man.