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This two-volume work examines far-reaching debates on the concept of courage from Greek antiquity to the Christian and mediaeval periods, as well as the modern era. Volume 1 begins with Homeric poetry and the politics of fearless demi-gods thriving on war. The tales of lion-hearted Heracles, Achilles, and Ulysses, and their tragic fall at the hands of fate, eventually give way to classical views of courage based on competing theories of rational wisdom and truth. Fears of the enemy and anxieties about suffering and death are addressed through the lenses and teachings of medicine, geography, military history, moral philosophy, and metaphysics.
For early Christian thinkers, the ethics of fear, fate, and fealty to the Almighty supplant the voice of reason and the wisdom of virtue. Much of Christian doctrine's history is a long journey towards bridging the gap between Greek philosophy and devotion to God and spirits in heaven. Some Church Fathers attempt to dispel the fear of suffering through a joyful craving for martyrdom and the eternal blessings that follow. Others show openness to one or more of the following principles: the abstractions of moral philosophy, the metaphysics of Gnostic enlightenment, the gift of free will and intentionality, the growth of church authority and hegemony, and the intrinsic worth of life on Earth. Augustine, Ambrose, Cassian, and Chrysostom play a central role in revisiting the foundations of Christian fortitude along some or all of these lines. They lay the groundwork for the scholastic adaptations of faith-based rationalism proposed by Peter Lombard, Philip the Chancellor, Albert the Great, and Thomas of Aquinas.
The mediaeval period ends with church dissidents and Protestant Reform leaders condemning Rome's corruption and calling for a return to early Christian faith and the courage of godly fear, submission, suffering, and fate.
List of contents
Chapter 1 The roots of courage.- Chapter 2 Fearlessness and fate in Ancient Greece.- Chapter 3 Soldierly courage and wisdom.- Chapter 4 Wisdom above soldierly courage.- Chapter 5 Wisdom as courage.- Chapter 6 The courage of natural living.- Chapter 7 Courage, wisdom, and mysticism.- Chapter 8 Fear and love in early Christianity.- Chapter 9 Living, conquering, and ruling.- Chapter 10 Overtures to the wisdom of love and fortitude.- Chapter 11 Freedom and the wisdom of love and fortitude.- Chapter 12 Courage in the early Middle Ages and Islam.- Chapter 13 Crusading and dying for Christ.- Chapter 14 Reason, faith, and charity.- Chapter 15 Intentionality and powers of the will.- Chapter 16 Challenging and reforming the church.- Chapter 17 Custodians of the Earth.
About the author
Jacques M. Chevalier is Chancellor's Professor Emeritus at Carleton University, Canada.
