John Scottus Eriugena (Irwin Trader's Edge Series) Review

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(More customer reviews)John Scottus Eriugena - WHO? This man was one of the great thinkers of the "Dark Ages" and this book goes a long way in bringing his work the respect it deserves. The book is an overview of his works with an emphasis on the "Periphyson", but it also includes other works as well. The author seems to have a good working knowledge of John Scottus and does a good job of not only uncovering his work, which may be new for many readers of philosophy, but also at uncovering the man and his passions as well. This is a book I can recommend for anyone with an interest in philosophy and/or theology. For students of theology who are interested in the topic of predestination it can be a thought provoking resource. Well written and entertaining as well.

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John Scottus Eriugena, the ninth-century Irish philosopher and theologian, is known as the interpreter of Greek thought to the Latin West. He was perhaps the most important philosophical thinker to appear in Latin Christendom between Augustine in the fifth century and Anselm in the eleventh. In this volume, Deirdre Carabine provides a clear and accessible introduction--the only one available in the English language--to the thought of this important figure.In part I, Carabine describes the intellectual revival of the ninth century and situates Eriugena's role within that movement. She looks closely at Eriugena's life and intellectual achievements, including his contribution to the theological controversy on predestination and his roles as teacher and translator of Greek thought. She also examines the Periphyson, undoubtedly Eriugena's most original and important work. In part II, Carabine discusses Eriugena's metaphysics, the structure of reality, the theocentric character of creation, and the role of the trinity and the primordial causes. In particular, she explores Eriugena's employment of negative theology and his understanding of human nature. In conclusion, part III looks at Eriugena's interpretation of the return of all things to their source, including his belief that all people, saints and sinners alike, will return to paradise to the "vision" of a transcendent God.Revealing the unique and compelling nature of Eriugena's thought, and showing why his work continues to appeal to a modern audience, this volume is required reading for students and scholars of medieval philosophy and theology.

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