History of Medieval Philosophy

It is commonly held in academic practice that a History of Medieval Philosophy occupies practically half of the entire Western philosophical thought. It is therefore an arduous task to attempt to give a short account of a period that encompasses fourteen centuries, a history which must be sufficiently documented and complete, and at the same time, free from facile generalizations and topical discussions. It is a task which the author hopes to have accomplished. Added to these difficulties is the pedagogical need to situate historically the doctrinal developments narrated in order to help the reader to know-even just concisely-the milieu in which particular controversies arose, and how different philosophical solutions were formed. I am fortunate that other authors had preceded me in this adventure; they achieved the goal quite successfully, even though their works have been left outdated with the passing of time. I depended on them on several points, as noted in the footnotes and in the bibliography at the end of this book. As to the other goals I intended to achieve, they are all described in the sixth paragraph of the first chapter.

This manual is the fruit of the five years I spent teaching in the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre. I must acknowledge, in the first place, my indebtedness to my students who at- tended my lectures all that time, and who offered me various suggestions. I cannot fail to mention the help extended to me by my colleagues: Professors José Luis Fernández, Juan José Sanguineti, Alfonso García Marqués, and Alberto Viciano. They carefully read the manuscript and gave me valuable observations which I tried to include in the final draft of the original. Neither could I forget the discreet but effective help of the staff of the Faculty of Theology in particular, that of Nieves García de Llorente, who typed and corrected several times the text of this book until it was ready for printing. I also extend my gratitude to Dr. Julián Urbistondo whe helped me check the style and the galley proofs.

Pamplona, January 1, 1985