Wonder and Skepticism in the Middle Ages

Nonfiction, History, Medieval, Germany
Cover of the book Wonder and Skepticism in the Middle Ages by Keagan Brewer, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Keagan Brewer ISBN: 9781317430346
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: January 29, 2016
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Keagan Brewer
ISBN: 9781317430346
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: January 29, 2016
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Wonder and Skepticism in the Middle Ages explores the response by medieval society to tales of marvels and the supernatural, which ranged from firm belief to outright rejection, and asks why the believers believed, and why the skeptical disbelieved. Despite living in a world whose structures more often than not supported belief, there were still a great many who disbelieved, most notably scholastic philosophers who began a polemical programme against belief in marvels.

Keagan Brewer reevaluates the Middle Ages’ reputation as an era of credulity by considering the evidence for incidences of marvels, miracles and the supernatural and demonstrating the reasons people did and did not believe in such things. Using an array of contemporary sources, he shows that medieval responders sought evidence in the commonality of a report, similarity of one event to another, theological explanations and from people with status to show that those who believed in marvels and miracles did so only because the wonders had passed evidentiary testing. In particular, he examines both emotional and rational reactions to wondrous phenomena, and why some were readily accepted and others rejected.

This book is an important contribution to the history of emotions and belief in the Middle Ages.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Wonder and Skepticism in the Middle Ages explores the response by medieval society to tales of marvels and the supernatural, which ranged from firm belief to outright rejection, and asks why the believers believed, and why the skeptical disbelieved. Despite living in a world whose structures more often than not supported belief, there were still a great many who disbelieved, most notably scholastic philosophers who began a polemical programme against belief in marvels.

Keagan Brewer reevaluates the Middle Ages’ reputation as an era of credulity by considering the evidence for incidences of marvels, miracles and the supernatural and demonstrating the reasons people did and did not believe in such things. Using an array of contemporary sources, he shows that medieval responders sought evidence in the commonality of a report, similarity of one event to another, theological explanations and from people with status to show that those who believed in marvels and miracles did so only because the wonders had passed evidentiary testing. In particular, he examines both emotional and rational reactions to wondrous phenomena, and why some were readily accepted and others rejected.

This book is an important contribution to the history of emotions and belief in the Middle Ages.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Trauma, Dissociation and Health by Keagan Brewer
Cover of the book China in The National Interest by Keagan Brewer
Cover of the book Aging and Economic Growth in the Pacific Region by Keagan Brewer
Cover of the book From the Wings by Keagan Brewer
Cover of the book The Scope and Method of Political Economy by Keagan Brewer
Cover of the book Lenin's Terror by Keagan Brewer
Cover of the book Vesper and Compline Music for Multiple Choirs by Keagan Brewer
Cover of the book The Economics of Water Utilization in the Beet Sugar Industry by Keagan Brewer
Cover of the book Matthew Arnold by Keagan Brewer
Cover of the book Contemplative Approaches to Sustainability in Higher Education by Keagan Brewer
Cover of the book The New British by Keagan Brewer
Cover of the book Architecture and Urban Form in Kuala Lumpur by Keagan Brewer
Cover of the book Ancient Greece by Keagan Brewer
Cover of the book Re-Imagining Community and Civil Society in Latin America and the Caribbean by Keagan Brewer
Cover of the book Public Administration by Keagan Brewer
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy