Transforming Philosophy - Late Medieval Knowledge in Transition

The studies in this volume investigate how forms of knowledge and philosophical thought were transformed in the transitional period from the 13^th to the 17^th century. They highlight transformations which often took place in the shadow of the spectacular renewal projects associated with the Renaissance, but which are nonetheless fundamental to understanding the emergence of modern thought. Focusing on areas of knowledge committed more to preserving philosophical traditions than innovating, the thirteen contributions each analyze a particular source or corpus of sources to illustrate the subtle shaping and reshaping of philosophical thought that took place in this period, showcasing thus the transformative power of late medieval and early modern thought.

About the author

Karsten Engel studied philosophy, neuroscience, cognitive science, history and linguistics at the universities of Magdeburg, Göttingen, Bern, and Basel. He completed his doctorate at the University of Basel between 2020 and 2024. He currently works at the University Library of Basel.

Ueli Zahnd studied theology and philosophy in Bern, Paris, and Geneva. He obtained his PhD in 2013 from the University of Freiburg with a study on late medieval sacramental theology and semiotics. Since 2019, he is full professor of Reformation history at the University of Geneva.

Summary

The studies in this volume investigate how forms of knowledge and philosophical thought were transformed in the transitional period from the 13th to the 17th century. They highlight transformations which often took place in the shadow of the spectacular renewal projects associated with the Renaissance, but which are nonetheless fundamental to understanding the emergence of modern thought. Focusing on areas of knowledge committed more to preserving philosophical traditions than innovating, the thirteen contributions each analyze a particular source or corpus of sources to illustrate the subtle shaping and reshaping of philosophical thought that took place in this period, showcasing thus the transformative power of late medieval and early modern thought.

Foreword

Late Medieval Knowledge in Transition

Product details

• Assisted by: Karsten Engel (Editor), Zahnd (Editor), Ueli Zahnd (Editor)
• Publisher: Schwabe Verlag Basel
• Languages: English, German
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 12.01.2026
• EAN: 9783796554353
• ISBN: 978-3-7965-5435-3
• No. of pages: 320
• Illustrations: 5 Farbabb.
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy > Middle Ages; Religionsphilosophie, Europäische Geschichte: Renaissance, Christliche Kirchen, Konfessionen, Gruppen, Soziale und politische Philosophie, Ethik und Moralphilosophie, Europäische Geschichte: Mittelalter, Europäische Geschichte: Reformation, Religion und Wissenschaft, Humanistische Philosophie, Late Middle Ages, History of Philosophy, Periodization, Intellectual History, Westliche Mittelalterliche Philosophie, Philosophie: Logik, Philosophie: Epistemologie und Erkenntnistheorie, Philosophie: Metaphysik und Ontologie, Transformational Processes