Robert Kilwardby

Archbishop of Canterbury from 1272 until his death in 1279, the Dominican friar Robert Kildwardby has long been known primarily for his participation in the Oxford Prohibitions of 1277, but his contributions spread far wider. A central figure in the Late Middle Ages, Kilwardby was one of the
earliest commentators of the work of Aristotle, as well as an unwavering proponent of Augustinian thought and a believer of the plurality of forms. Although he was a prominent thinker of the time, key areas of his philosophical thought remain unexamined in contemporary scholarship.

Jos� Filipe Silva here offers the first book-length analysis of Kilwardby's full body of work, which is essential in understanding both the reception of Aristotle in the Latin West and the developments of later medieval philosophy. Beginning with his early philosophical commitments, Silva tracks
Kilwardby's life and academic thought, including his theories on knowledge, moral happiness, and the nature of the soul, along with his attempts to reconcile Augustinian and Aristotelian thought. Ultimately, Robert Kilwardby offers a comprehensive overview of an unsung scholar, solidifying his
philosophical legacy as one of the most influential authors of the Late Middle Ages.

"Robert Kilwardby is a central figure in late medieval philosophy and theology, but key areas of his thought still remain unexamined in a systematic way. This book offers a comprehensive overview of his works, ranging from topics in logic to theology, done in a way that is accessible to non-specialists and to anyone interested in medieval thought"--

"Silva's book is a very substantial introduction to Robert Kilwardby. It provides a much-needed overview of the philosophical and theological thought of this medieval thinker, and makes a very compelling case for its significance to the history of medieval thought. Based on a thorough investigation
of the entire vast corpus of this thinker, Silva's presentation shows the richness, sophistication, and originality of Kilwardby's thought. Silva does indeed do full justice to the inclusion of Kilwardby among the great medieval thinkers." -- Cecilia Trifogli, Professor of Medieval Philosophy,
University of Oxford

"Silva succeeds in covering the different areas of Kilwardby's work - logic, metaphysics, perception, ethics and theology - concisely yet thoroughly. For the first time, readers of this book will be able to grasp as whole the thought of this fascinating, and until recently neglected, contemporary of
Aquinas." -- John Marenbon, Trinity College, University of Cambridge

"Here we have Robert Kilwardby in full: his metaphysics, psychology, logic, ethics, and theology. And because Kilwardby stands in the middle of late medieval philosophy, we get in effect a picture of that field in full, as it stands at the dawn of its greatest figures. If anyone is going to make the
case for Kilwardby as a deserving member in the club of Great Medieval Thinkers, it will be Jos� Filipe Silva." -- Robert Pasnau, University of Colorado Boulder