John Scottus Eriugena (Great Medieval Thinkers)

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Introduction to an Unjustly Forgotten Thinker
Review: Deirdre Carabine has written a concise, well thought out and extremely well written account of the life and philosophy of John Scottus Eruigena.

Although time has not been kind to Eriugena, his contibution to both philosophy and Christian theology cannot be denied. He stands out as an intellectual bridge between the age of Augustine and Pseudo-Dionysus and Anselm during an age when Europe was only beginning to get back on its intellectual feet. His most original and important work, the "Periphyson", remains as possibly the most important philosophical text of its time.

Carabine examines not only Eriugena the teacher and translator of Greek thought, but also Eriugena, upon whom that Greek thought, especially in its Neoplatonic form, lay at the heart of his metaphysics and his attempt to reintroduce the notion of Being back into philosophy.

An introduction, especially to such an original and compelling thinker as Eriugena can either scare us away from further studies or prod us on to learn more. Carabine has successfully accomplished the latter, and more power to her.

Rating:
Summary: rediscovering a great mind
Review: 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.