Nicolaus Cusanus on Faith and the Intellect: A Case Study in 15th-Century Fides-Ratio Controversy

Description

In 'Nicolaus Cusanus on Faith and the Intellect', K. M. Ziebart argues convincingly that Cusanus' epistemology was a direct response to late-medieval debates over the relation between faith and reason - one which sought to resolve these debates by introducing a controversially strong integration of philosophy and theology. By examining his works in the context of debates with his peers, Ziebart shows how and why Cusanus came to articulate a theory of knowledge in which faith is posited as inherent to the very structure of mind, as the 'vis iudiciaria', or power of judgment. This well-grounded study sheds new light on the Cusan philosophy and expands our view of a crucial, liminal period in European intellectual history. Preface and Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Introduction Methodological Considerations & Organization of Study Nicolaus Cusanus and fides-ratio Dialectic in the Fifteenth Century Representations of Faith and Reason in Cusan Thought and the Appearance of a Problem 'Mysteria fidei': Faith and Reason in Book III of 'De docta ignorantia' Faith and Reason in the Early Sermons Previous Scholarship on the Relationship of Faith and Reason in Cusan Thought Part One. Faith and Reason in the Debates and Controversies Surrounding the Reception of Cusanus’ Works by his Contemporaries Chapter One. The Cusanus-Wenck Debate Wenck and Conciliarism: The Political Motives Behind the Debate Wenck’s Opposition to Lay Mysticism John of Gelnhausen and the Origin of the Debate Wenck’s Response to 'De docta ignorantia': The 'De ignota litteratura' Eckhardian/Beghardian 'heresy' in 'De docta ignorantia' Destruction of the Aristotelian Philosophy 'De ignota litteratura' as a Document in the History of Fifteenth-Century Sectarian Religious Controversy Cusanus’ Response to Johannes Wenck: The 'Apologia doctae ignorantiae' and 'Idiota' Treatises The 'Apologia doctae ignorantiae' The 'Idiota' Dialogues as Further Response 'Idiota de sapientia' 'Idiota de mente' Chapter 1. Conclusion: The Cusanus-Wenck Debate, 'Apologia', and 'Idiota' Treatises Chapter Two. The Tegernsee Debate Background of the Debate The University of Vienna and Reform in Austria Conciliarism in Aggsbach’s Criticism Reception of Cusanus’ Works in the Monasteries, and the Development of the Debate Vincent’s Tractate Against Cusanus: 'The Impugnatorium laudatorii doctae ignorantiae' Cusanus’ 'De visione Dei' Chapter 2. Conclusion: Evaluating the Tegernsee Debate Conclusion to Part I: Cusanus’ Debates with Wenck and Aggsbach against the Background of Fifteenth-century Theological Controversy Part Two. Beyond the Debates: Faith and Reason as Mirrored in Cusanus’ Philosophy and Theology Chapter Three. The Philosopher and the Idiot: The Role of Aristotelian Philosophy in the Philosophy and Theology of Cusanus Previous Views of Cusanus’ Relationship to Aristotle References to Aristotle in Cusanus References to Aristotle in the Sermons References in the Sermons to the 'Ethics' References in the Sermons to the 'Metaphysics' References to Aristotle in the Treatises Aristotle and the 'coincidentia oppositorum' On the Subject of Substance On the Subject of Forms/Universals On the Unity of the Intellectual Tradition Chapter 3. Conclusion: Rethinking Cusanus and the Aristotelian Philosophy Chapter Four. The Articulation of Faith and Reason in Cusan Predication Sermon 60: 'Ego resuscitabo eum in novissimo die' (1446) Sermon 124: 'Venit filius hominis' (1452) Sermon 129: 'Filii huius saeculi' (1453) Sermon 130: 'Intravit Jesus' (1453) Sermon 133: 'Ego si exaltatus fuere' (1453) Sermon 134: 'Credidit ipse' (1453) Sermon 135: 'Gaudete et exsultate' (1453) Sermon 143: 'Nunc dimittis' (1454) Sermon 148: 'Miserere mei fili David' (1454) Sermon 189: 'Qui manducat hunc panem vivet in aeternum' (1455) Sermon 193: 'Relictis omnibus secuti sunt eum' (1455) Sermon 245: 'Crucifixus resurrexit' (1456) Sermon 268: 'Sic currite, ut comprehendatis' (1457) Sermon 275: 'Non sumus ancillae filii' (1457) Sermon 289: 'Sic currite, ut comprehendatis' (1459) Chapter 4. Conclusion: Faith and Intellectual Fulfilment in the Later Sermons Conclusion. Conflict or Coherence? The Fusion of Faith and Reason in Cusan Philosophy and Theology Appendices Appendix One. Chronological List of Leters and Works Related to the 'Tegernsee' Debate on Mystical Theology Appendix Two. Edition and Translation of Excerpt from Johanes Wenck’s Letter to John of Gelnhausen, 1442 (Wenck’s Summary of the 17 ‘Proposals’ of Hans Franckfurter) Appendix Three. Translation of Excerpt from Letter of Vincent of Aggsbach to John Schlitpacher (of Weilheim), February 25, 1451 Appendix Four. Translation of Excerpt from the 'Impugnatorium Laudatorii' in Letter of Vincent of Aggsbach to John Schlitpacher (of Weilheim), Dec. 19, 1454 Appendix Five. Translation of Excerpt from Letter of Vincent of Aggsbach to John Schlitpacher (of Weilheim), June 26, 1459 Appendix Six. Translation of Letter of Vincent of Aggsbach to John Schlitpacher (of Weilheim), Die 8. Michaelis, 1460 Appendix Seven. Letter of Thomas Papler (Prior of Aggsbach) to John Schlitpacher (of Weilheim) Appendix Eight. Translation of Notes Made by John Schlitpacher (of Weilheim) and Leopold Wydemann Summarizing the Stages of Debate and Listing the Respective Major Treatises and Letters Involved Bibliography Index