History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps

Medieval ideas about what animals do and do not have in common with humans, and how we should treat them.

Peter Olivi, a philosopher who proposes that awareness occurs not through passively being affected by things, but by actively paying attention to them. Topics include: the concept of attention, the life and teachings of Peter Olivi, the nature of the soul and its relationship with the body, Olivi's criticism of the intellectualist explanation of choice and his concept of the higher soul, Olivi's theory of perception and the active role of the soul.

Bonaventure's contrasting approach to Aquinas in 13th century scholasticism, focusing on divine illumination. The lights of arts, sensation, and philosophy and their compatibility with theology. Bonaventure's views on philosophy, divine exemplars, and the necessity of divine illumination for certain knowledge. The contemplative nature of Bonaventure's work and the importance of philosophy in understanding the divine.

Professor Charles Burnett discusses the role of magic in medieval intellectual life, exploring topics such as the nature of spirits, the connection between magic, astrology, and alchemy, the nature of Arabic-Latin translation texts, the power of words and language in invoking spirits, and the historical attitudes towards magic from condemnation to resurfacing.

Guest Roger Bacon, a scientist, discusses the power of science and his theory of species in explaining light and vision. The podcast explores Bacon's intellectual project, his theories on equivocation and language, his concept of species, and his empirical approach to vision, astrology, and alchemy.

Translator, scientist and theologian Robert Grosseteste sheds light on the cosmos, human understanding, and the rainbow

The podcast explores the concept of conscience and its role in moral decision-making. It discusses the emergence of the faculty of will in 13th-century ethics, the interpretation of Aristotle's ethical virtues, and the debate on habitual virtues and the tendency to pervert good into evil. It also delves into following one's conscience and the role of reason in ethical decision-making.

The podcast discusses the concept of transcendentals in medieval metaphysics and aesthetics, exploring the connection between goodness and being and the relationship between transcendental terms. It also explores the concept of transcendentals in medieval philosophy and the definition of beauty as a transcendental and its relation to goodness and being.

13th-century philosophers explore the nature of the soul by drawing on Aristotle and Avicenna's concepts. They discuss the immateriality and immortality of the soul, the composition of immortal souls and angels, and the relationship between matter and form. William of Auverne's treatise is highlighted, along with his arguments against the emergence of the soul from the physical body.

Medieval thinkers explore Aristotle's views on motion, time, infinity, and space. They challenge ancient philosophers' understanding of the cosmos and analyze alternative explanations for projectile motion. The nature of time and its connection to motion are also discussed. The treatment of infinity in Aristotle's physics and the problems with defining place are explored, along with the religious implications of Aristotelian ideas.