Great Minds of the Medieval World

Go beyond the typical philosophy course and explore the most fascinating minds of the Middle Ages, including great philosophers, prolific writers, and cultural movers.

Overview

Course No. 4631

Professor Armstrong presents 24 lectures profiling the visionary thinkers who laid the foundations of modern Western civilization. This course examines:

• Foundational Christian theologians like Augustine and Thomas Aquinas
• Islamic polymaths including Avicenna and Averroes
• Literary giants Dante and Chaucer
• Renaissance precursors like Petrarch and Lorenzo de’ Medici

From Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy to Hildegard of Bingen’s mystical visions, these lectures reveal how medieval thinkers shaped religion, science, law, and literature while navigating personal struggles and societal transformations.

Video Lectures

Part 1: Early Medieval Foundations

1. Augustine of Hippo (31 min)
   The bishop’s revolutionary theology on evil and free will.

2-4. Church Fathers to Encyclopedists (29-30 min)
Ambrose’s classical synthesis, Boethius’ educational legacy, Isidore’s Etymologies.

5-6. Anglo-Saxon Scholars (30 min)
Bede’s historical works and Alcuin’s partnership with Charlemagne.

Part 2: Islamic Golden Age

7-9. Middle Eastern Polymaths (30-32 min)
Avicenna’s medicine, Alhacen’s optics, Averroes’ Aristotle commentaries.

Part 3: Jewish Thought Leaders

10-11. Medieval Jewish Scholarship (29-30 min)
Maimonides’ legal philosophy and Rashi’s biblical exegesis.

Part 4: High Medieval Thinkers

12-18. Monastics to Scholastics (29-31 min)
Hildegard’s visions, Abelard’s logic, Aquinas’ Summa Theologiae.

Part 5: Late Medieval Transitions

19-24. Literature to Renaissance (30-32 min)
Dante’s Comedy, Christine de Pisan’s feminism, Caxton’s printing press.