James L. Wiser Libros

Examining the emergence of modernity within the philosophical and political debates of the sixteenth century, this work resumes the analysis of the "great confusion" introduced in Volume IV of History of Political Ideas. This period, ignited by Luther's Ninety-Five Theses, is marked by controversy, revolution, and partiality. Despite its fragmentation, Voegelin's analysis clarifies the significance of the era, suggesting a shift from the medieval Christian understanding of a divinely created closed cosmos to a modern consciousness that positions man as the origin of meaning in the universe. Voegelin explores a wide range of thought and issues, featuring both prominent and lesser-known figures such as Calvin, Althusius, Hooker, Bracciolini, Savonarola, Copernicus, Tycho de Brahe, and Giordano Bruno. He devotes considerable attention to Jean Bodin, portraying him as a prophet of a new, true religion amidst the civilizational disorder of the post-Christian era. The work addresses traditional themes like monarchy, just war theory, and the philosophy of law, while also delving into astrology, cosmology, and mathematics. This scholarly contribution is valuable not only for its treatment of influential thinkers and doctrines of the sixteenth century and beyond but also for its examination of the experiences that shaped the modern outlook.