Medieval Religious Rationalities

Erscheinungsjahr 2010
ISBN: 978-0-521-76707-1
Verlag: Cambridge University Press

Buch, Englisch, 208 Seiten, Format (B × H): 157 mm x 235 mm, Gewicht: 462 g

Inspired by the social theories of Max Weber, David d'Avray asks in what senses medieval religion was rational and, in doing so, proposes a new approach to the study of the medieval past. Applying ideas developed in his companion volume on Rationalities in History, he explores how values, instrumental calculation, legal formality and substantive rationality interact and the ways in which medieval beliefs were strengthened by their mutual connections, by experience, and by mental images. He sheds new light on key themes and figures in medieval religion ranging from conversion, miracles and the ideas of Bernard of Clairvaux to Trinitarianism, papal government and Francis of Assisi's charismatic authority. This book shows how values and instrumental calculation affect each other in practice and demonstrates the ways in which the application of social theory can be used to generate fresh empirical research as well as new interpretative insights.

Autoren/Hrsg.

D'Avray, D. L.

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Europäische Geschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Geschichte einzelner Länder Europäische Länder
• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Kirchengeschichte Frühes Christentum, Patristik, Christliche Archäologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Preliminaries; 2. Medieval values: structures; 3. Medieval values: dynamics; 4. The value-instrumental interface in the Middle Ages; 5. Formal rationality and medieval religious law; 6. The formal-substantive interface and the dispensation system; General conclusion.

Über Autor(innen)

D'Avray, D. L.
D. L. d'Avray is Professor of Medieval History at University College London. A fellow of the British Academy since 2005, d'Avray has published widely on his research interests in medieval history.