Paul Richard Blum

In 'Studies on Early Modern Aristotelianism' Paul Richard Blum shows that Aristotle's thought remained the touchstone of modern philosophy; for it was the philosophy taught at universities. The concept of philosophy at Jesuit schools forms the first part of this book. Their impact on the sciences and mathematics in combination with Renaissance ideas of nature is the topic of the second part. The transformation of Aristotelian metaphysics and theology under the influence of the Renaissance is the third area of this book. Surprising continuity from the late Middle Ages into modernity and the radical difference of subject centered modern philosophy from 'teachable' school philosophy are innovative in these studies.

Jacques Bénigne Bossuet (1627-1704) provides the historical context of philosophers like Descartes who appear to be timeless. He exposed the political philosophy, the epistemology, the philosophy of history and the theology of his time against the prejudice that thinkers have to be solipsistic. Bossuet reconciled rationality and Biblical authority when the Enlightenment threatened to divorce them. This is true for his political philosophy and for his philosophical psychology. Knowing worldly power helps fathom the divine order, and knowing the human intellect fosters philosophical piety towards God.0Paul Richard Blum is T.J. Higgins, S.J., Chair in Philosophy at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, USA. He studied philosophy in Germany and Italy and taught in Germany, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. Besides Renaissance philosophy he specializes in early modern scholasticism.0Hans-Christian Günther is professor for classics at the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg. He has widely published on Greek and Roman philosophy and literature, Byzantine and modern Greek studies. Recently he has been more and more interested in intercultural studies, ethics and international politics.