Cognitive Psychology in the Middle Ages

Simon Kemp received his PhD in psychology from Auckland University. He is currently associate professor of psychology at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. Dr. Kemp is the author of Medieval Psychology (Greenwood, 1990).

• IntroductionThe Early Middle AgesAristotle's Cognitive PsychologyThe Inner SensesCognition in the Rational SoulMedieval ApplicationsMedieval and Modern Theories of CognitionBibliographyIndex

Kemp examines cognitive psychology from roughly the fourth to the 15th century CE. A brief history of the Middle Ages provides useful context to understand the pithier religious and philosophical variables that influenced psychological thinking in general. Much of the book (as does much of medieval scholarship) revolves around Aristotle's cognitive theory . . . and the medieval debate and interpretation that followed. . . . This book will be of particular interest and value to scholars and enthusiasts of the history of psychology, and also to cognitive psychologists looking for a broader historical-centextual background for their work.