Thinking about Animals in Thirteenth-Century Paris
Theologians on the Boundary Between Humans and Animals

Explores how similarities and differences between humans and animals were understood by medieval theologians, and their significance.

Ian P. Wei (Author)

9781108830157, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 20 August 2020

330 pages
23 x 15.3 x 2 cm, 5.1 kg

'Overall, Wei's book is an important addition to the scholarly literature. Since it does not require special background knowledge of medieval philosophy or theology, it can be recommended to anyone interested in medieval ways of thinking about animals.' Juhana Toivanen, Speculum

Exploring what theologians at the University of Paris in the thirteenth century understood about the boundary between humans and animals, this book demonstrates the great variety of ways in which they held similarity and difference in productive tension. Analysing key theological works, Ian P. Wei presents extended close readings of William of Auvergne, the Summa Halensis, Bonaventure, Albert the Great and Thomas Aquinas. These scholars found it useful to consider animals and humans together, especially with regard to animal knowledge and behaviour, when discussing issues including creation, the fall, divine providence, the heavens, angels and demons, virtues and passions. While they frequently stressed that animals had been created for use by humans, and sometimes treated them as tools employed by God to shape human behaviour, animals were also analytical tools for the theologians themselves. This study thus reveals how animals became a crucial resource for generating knowledge of God and the whole of creation.

Introduction
1. William of Auvergne
2. The Summa Halensis and Bonaventure
3. Albert the Great and Thomas Aquinas
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: History of religion [HRAX], Western philosophy: Medieval & Renaissance, c 500 to c 1600 [HPCB], Social & cultural history [HBTB], European history [HBJD]