Scholasticism was never refuted, it drowned. That distinction seems like the live one for our own flood. Print multiplied claims that could at least be checked against each other. Our version multiplies text that already sounds checked. So Palmer's parallel raises the question of which of our methods is quietly drowning right now, and we probably won't know its name until people have already stopped using it. Nobody attended scholasticism's funeral either.
This made me chuckle: "the book sports more levity and humor than Cosimo de Medici’s library sported prized manuscripts." Your own book, Joel, was a fun romp through history; I often tell people how easy it is to read, how funny it is, and how this not an easy thing to do for a history book. I've long been an ignorant admirer of the Renaissance. I'll have to pick up this book and educate myself.
Scholasticism was never refuted, it drowned. That distinction seems like the live one for our own flood. Print multiplied claims that could at least be checked against each other. Our version multiplies text that already sounds checked. So Palmer's parallel raises the question of which of our methods is quietly drowning right now, and we probably won't know its name until people have already stopped using it. Nobody attended scholasticism's funeral either.
Great review, Joel. Many thanks for your insights.
Excellent book! Entertaining, informative. The kind of book that sends you out looking for more by the same author.
Well, you've almost convinced me to read a 700 page history book. Nicely done.
I did a little of my own inventing of the Renaissance on Substack here: https://clairelaporte.substack.com/p/machiavellis-prince-and-the-modern
Here’s a nudge to push you over the edge. I listened to the audiobook. Really good.
This made me chuckle: "the book sports more levity and humor than Cosimo de Medici’s library sported prized manuscripts." Your own book, Joel, was a fun romp through history; I often tell people how easy it is to read, how funny it is, and how this not an easy thing to do for a history book. I've long been an ignorant admirer of the Renaissance. I'll have to pick up this book and educate myself.