PHL202 Medieval Philosophy: From Plotinus to Ockham

[3–0, 3 cr.]

An examination of the works of major Medieval thinkers. Special attention will be paid to the origins of modern philosophy in Medieval thought, and how Medieval thinking stands in contrast to Ancient thinking. Also, the theological character of scholastic thought will be emphasized, for example: attempts to reconcile each of Christian and Islamic teachings with the authority of Aris­totle; attempts to reconcile the benevolence of God with the existence of evil; attempts to reconcile the omnipotence of God with presumed limits placed on his power by “natural laws”; and attempts to reconcile the omniscience of God with free will.