Classical Traditions in Renaissance Philosophy

Introduction

The impact of classical thought on Renaissance philosophy is the subject of this volume.

Part One: Interpretations of Ancient Philosophy

In the first part Dr Kraye deals with the interpretations of ancient philosophy put forward by various thinkers of the Italian Renaissance, including the humanist Angelo Poliziano and the Platonist Marsilio Ficino.

Part Two: Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics and Classical Treatises

In the second, she examines the central role of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics within Renaissance moral philosophy and considers the influence of other classical treatises on ethics, especially the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius.

Final Section: Controversies and Printing History

The final section explores controversies concerning the authenticity of works in the Aristotelian canon, together with the early printing history of Aristotle.

Overall Aim and Additional Content

All the articles aim to locate philosophical questions within the historical and cultural context of the Renaissance, and particular attention is paid to the importance of philological scholarship within philosophical debates. The collection includes an essay on Philipp Melanchthon's ethical commentaries and textbooks which has previously appeared only in German translation.