Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preliminary Material -- Introduction -- Aquinas on the Demonstrability of Angels / Gregory T. Doolan -- Metaphysical Composition of Angels in Bonaventure, Aquinas, and Godfrey of Fontaines / John F. Wippel -- The Individuation of Angels from Bonaventure to Duns Scotus / Giorgio Pini -- Angelic Time and Motion: Bonaventure to Duns Scotus / Richard Cross -- Angelic Knowledge in Aquinas and Bonaventure / Harm Goris -- Duns Scotus on Angelic Knowledge / Timothy B. Noone -- Angelic Language and Communication / Bernd Roling -- Augustine and Anselm on Angelic Sin / Peter King -- Theories of Angelic Sin from Aquinas to Ockham -- Bibliography -- Index of Manuscripts -- Index of Names.

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Humanist prejudice famously made medieval angelology the paradigm of ludicrous speculation with its caricature of “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?” The truth is quite the opposite: many of medieval philosophy’s most original and ingenious contributions actually came to light in discussions of angelology. In fact, angelology provided an ideal context for discussing issues such as the structure of the universe, the metaphysical texture of creatures (e.g. esse-essentia composition and the principle of individuation), and theories of time, knowledge, freedom, and linguistics—issues which, for the most part, are still highly relevant for contemporary philosophy. Because this specifically philosophical interest in angels developed mainly during the course of the thirteenth and early fourteenth century, this volume centers on the period from Bonaventure to Ockham. It also, however, discusses some original positions by earlier thinkers such as Augustine and Anselm of Canterbury. Its nine thorough studies bring to light some neglected but highly fascinating aspects of medieval philosophy, thus filling an important gap in the literature. Contributors include: Richard Cross, Gregory T. Doolan, H.J.M.J. Goris, Tobias Hoffmann, Peter King, Timothy B. Noone, Giorgio Pini, Bernd Roling, and John F. Wippel.