Paracelsus adapts the tradition of alchemical science for use in medicine, and in the process overturns the scientific theories of Aristotle and Galen. Details

An interview with Helen Hattab on the scope and impact of scholastic philosophy among Protestants. Details

Was Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa a dark magician, a pious skeptic, or both? Details

In a surprise twist, some Protestant thinkers embrace the methods of scholasticism, and even find something to admire in the work of Catholic authors like Aquinas. Details

John Calvin's views on predestination and the limits of human reason. Details

The Swiss theologian Zwingli launches the Reformation in Switzerland, but clashes with Luther and more radical Protestants. Details

Faced with massive political upheaval and the rise of the Anabaptists, Luther argues for a socially conservative version of the Reformation. Details

Luther’s close ally Melanchthon uses his knowledge of ancient philosophy and rhetoric in the service of the Reformation. Details

Erasmus clashes with Martin Luther over the question whether our wills are free or enslaved to sin. Details

How radical was Luther? We find out from Lyndal Roper, who also discusses Luther and the Peasants' War, sexuality, anti-semitism, and the visual arts. Details

How Luther’s doctrine of justification by faith alone and his attack on the Church relate to the history of philosophy. Details

Trends in Aristotelian philosophy in northern and eastern Europe in the fifteenth century, featuring discussion of the “Wegestreit” and the nominalist theology of Gabriel Biel. Details

The “learned piety” of Desiderius Erasmus, the greatest figure of northern humanism. Details

Learned ignorance, coincidence of opposites and religious peace: Paul Richard Blum discusses the central ideas of Nicholas Cusanus. Details

The radical negative theology of Nicholas of Cusa, and his hope of establishing peace between the religions of the world. Details

Rudolph Agricola, Juan Luis Vives and other humanist scholars spread the study of classical antiquity across Europe and mock the technicalities of scholastic philosophy. Details

The impact of the printing press on the history of philosophy, and its role in helping to trigger the Reformation. Details

How humanism and scholasticism came together with the Protestant Reformation to create the philosophy of 15-16th century Europe. Details

For our finale of the Italian Renaissance series we're joined by Ingrid Rowland, to speak about art, philosophy, and persecution in Renaissance Rome. Details

Did Galileo’s scientific discoveries grow out of the culture of the Italian Renaissance? Details