Nicolaus Cusanus on Faith and the Intellect: A Case Study in 15th-Century Fides-Ratio Controversy

by K. Meredith Ziebart

Overview

In Nicolaus Cusanus on Faith and the Intellect, K.M. Ziebart argues convincingly that Cusanus’ epistemology was a direct response to late-medieval debates over the relation between faith and reason—one which sought to resolve these debates by introducing a controversially strong integration of philosophy and theology.
By examining his works in the context of debates with his peers, Ziebart shows how and why Cusanus came to articulate a theory of knowledge in which faith is posited as inherent to the very structure of mind, as the vis iudiciaria, or power of judgment.
This well-grounded study sheds new light on the Cusan philosophy and expands our view of a crucial, liminal period in European intellectual history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9789004252134
Publisher:	Brill Academic Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	11/25/2013
Series:	Brill's Studies in Intellectual History , #225
Pages:	330
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

K.M. Ziebart, Ph.D. (2010, Freiburg), currently at Loyola University Maryland, researches the Pseudo-Dionysian and Christian Neoplatonic traditions, and is presently working on a detailed study of the Tegernsee Debate on mystical theology (Dallas Medieval Texts and Translations) with co-author David Albertson (USC).

Table of Contents

Preface & Acknowledgements

List of Abbreviations

Introduction


PART I: FAITH AND REASON IN THE DEBATES AND CONTROVERSIES SURROUNDING THE RECEPTION OF CUSANUS’ WORKS BY HIS CONTEMPORARIES

1. The Cusanus-Wenck debate
2. The Tegernsee debate


PART II: BEYOND THE DEBATES: FAITH AND REASON AS MIRRORED IN CUSANUS’ PHILOSOPHY AND THEOLOGY

3. The Philosopher and the Idiot: the role of Aristotelian philosophy in the philosophy and theology of Cusanus
4. The articulation of faith and reason in Cusan predication

Conclusion: Conflict or coherence? The fusion of faith and reason in Cusan philosophy and theology


APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Chronological list of letters and works related to “Tegernsee” debate on mystical theology
Appendix 2: Edition and translation excerpt from Johannes Wenck’s letter to John of Gelnhausen, 1442 (Wenck’s summary of 17 ‘proposals’ of Hans Franckfurter)
Appendix 3: Translation of excerpt from letter of Vincent of Aggsbach to John Schlitpacher (of Weilheim), February 25, 1451
Appendix 4: Translation of excerpt from the Impugnatorium Laudatorii in letter of Vincent of Aggsbach to John Schlitpacher (of Weilheim), Dec. 19, 1454
Appendix 5: Translation of excerpt from letter of Vincent of Aggsbach to John Schlitpacher (of Weilheim), June 26, 1459
Appendix 6: Translation of letter of Vincent of Aggsbach to John Schlitpacher (of Weilheim), Die 8. Michaelis, 1460
Appendix 7: Letter of Thomas Papler (Prior of Aggsbach) to John Schlitpacher (of Weilheim)
Appendix 8: Translation of notes made by John Schlitpacher (of Weilheim) and Leopold Wydemann summarizing the stages of debate and listing the respective major treatises and letters involved

Bibliography

Index