The Philosophy of Piers Plowman: The Ethics and Epistemology of Love in Late Medieval Thought (The New Middle Ages)

Annotation This book examines William Langland's late medieval poem, The Vision of Piers Plowman, in light of contemporary intellectual thought. David Strong argues that where the philosophers John Duns Scotus and William of Ockham revolutionize the view of human potential through their theories of epistemology, ethics, and freedom of the will, Langland vivifies these ideas by contextualizing them in an individual's search for truth and love. Specifically, the text ponders the intersection between reason and the will in expressing love. While scholars have consistently noted the text's indebtedness to these higher strains of thought, this is the first book-length study in over thirty years that explores the depth of this interconnection, and the only one that considers the salience of both Scotus and Ockham. It is essential reading for medieval literary specialists and students as well as any cultural historian who desires to augment their knowledge of truth and love "This book examines William Langland's late medieval poem, The Vision of Piers Plowman, in light of contemporary intellectual thought. David Strong argues that where the philosophers John Duns Scotus and William of Ockham revolutionize the view of human potential through their theories of epistemology, ethics, and freedom of the will, Langland vivifies these ideas by contextualizing them in an individual's search for truth and love. While scholars have consistently noted the text's indebtedness to these higher strains of thought, this is the first book-length study in over thirty years that explores the depth of this interconnection, and the only one that considers the salience of both Scotus and Ockham. It is essential reading to medieval literary specialists and students as well as any cultural historian who desires to augment their knowledge of truth and love" -- Back cover The Philosophy of Piers Plowman 4 Contents 7 1 Introduction 8 Notes 16 2 The Interconnection Between Langland, Scotus, and Ockham 19 Notes 51 3 The Natural Rights of Virtue 59 Notes 76 4 Will’s Need to Know 79 Notes 101 5 The Primacy of the Will and the Love It Produces 105 Notes 133 6 The Role of Charity in Knowing Truth 138 Notes 163 7 The Continual Pursuit of Love 168 Notes 202 Bibliography 209 Primary Sources 209 Secondary sources 211 Index 220 Front Matter....Pages i-vii Introduction....Pages 1-11 The Interconnection Between Langland, Scotus, and Ockham....Pages 13-52 The Natural Rights of Virtue....Pages 53-72 Will’s Need to Know....Pages 73-98 The Primacy of the Will and the Love It Produces....Pages 99-131 The Role of Charity in Knowing Truth....Pages 133-162 The Continual Pursuit of Love....Pages 163-203 Back Matter....Pages 205-224 Introduction -- The Interconnection Between Langland, Scotus, And Ockham -- The Natural Rights Of Virtue -- Will's Need To Know -- The Primacy Of The Will And The Love It Produces -- The Role Of Charity In Knowing Truth -- The Continual Pursuit Of Love. David Strong. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 205-215) And Index.