The Philosophy of Early Christianity

by George E. Karamanolis

Overview

George Karamanolis shows that early Christian thinkers, following the example of classical philosophy, developed a highly sophisticated method of philosophical thinking by means of which they constructed some of the most fundamental doctrines of Christianity. The book examines the character of early Christian philosophy and goes on to place the development of this philosophy in its cultural and historical context. The core of the book deals thematically with the central philosophical concerns of early Christian thinkers and counters current scholarly opinion that posits that Christianity was unable to accommodate philosophical reasoning.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781844655670
Publisher:	Acumen Publishing
Publication date:	09/30/2013
Series:	Ancient Philosophies Series
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

George Karamanolis is Assistant Professor of Philosophy in the Department of Philosophy of the University of Vienna. His work focuses on Ancient and Byzantine Philosophy.

Table of Contents

1. The Christian Concept of Philosophy and Christian Philosophical Methodology 2. Physics and Metaphysics: First Principles and the Question of Cosmogony 3. Logic and Theory of Knowledge 4. Free Will and Divine Providence 5. Psychology: The Soul and its Relation to the Body 6. Ethics and Politics

Editorial Reviews

"The relationship of nascent Christian theology to ancient philosophy has frequently been investigated yet remains one of the least understood problems of early Christian thought. This is partly due to the inadequacy of the terminology that is often used: a duality of 'theology' and 'philosophy' as two separate disciplines is a creation of the medieval university which, if read back into late antiquity, distorts the picture from the outset. That George Karamanolis chooses a very different approach is apparent from his title, and his book deserves attention if only for that reason. His aim is to present the 'philosophy' of Early Christianity. In other words, he considers Christian thinkers in late antiquity as philosophers and seeks to describe their intellectual contribution in this framework. The result is a highly original book which ought to be taken seriously by both philosophers of antiquity and Patristic scholars... Karamanolis' book is part of a wider trend among historians of ancient philosophy to take Christian thought more seriously as part of the history of philosophy during that period. This trend is altogether to be welcomed. To date it is easily the most comprehensive and most authoritative contribution to this discussion. The fact that it ultimately leads to many further questions should in no way distract from Karamanolis' enormous achievement. All those interested in the intellectual world of late antiquity must be grateful to this erudite and truly philosophical author." - Prof. Johannes Zachhuber, in Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

From the Publisher