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The Philosophy of Piers Plowman

The Ethics and Epistemology of Love in Late Medieval Thought

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  • © 2017

Overview

Authors:
  1. David Strong

    1. Department of Literature & Languages, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, USA

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  • Pioneers a fresh and unique reading of Piers Plowman through the lens of philosophy
  • Demonstrates the vitality of philosophical themes in connection to late medieval literature, particularly Piers Plowman and philosophers such as John Duns Scotus and William of Ockham
  • Offers findings relevant to literary scholars, philosophy scholars, and historians of culture and religion.

Part of the book series: The New Middle Ages (TNMA)

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Table of contents (7 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-vii
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  2. Introduction

    • David Strong
    Pages 1-11

  3. The Interconnection Between Langland, Scotus, and Ockham

    • David Strong
    Pages 13-52

  4. The Natural Rights of Virtue

    • David Strong
    Pages 53-72

  5. Will’s Need to Know

    • David Strong
    Pages 73-98

  6. The Primacy of the Will and the Love It Produces

    • David Strong
    Pages 99-131

  7. The Role of Charity in Knowing Truth

    • David Strong
    Pages 133-162

  8. The Continual Pursuit of Love

    • David Strong
    Pages 163-203

  9. Back Matter

    Pages 205-224
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Keywords

About this book

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.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Department of Literature & Languages, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, USA

    David Strong

About the author

David Strong is Associate Professor, University of Texas at Tyler. His articles have appeared in Modern Philology, Philosophy and Literature, and Medievalia et Humanistica.




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