A Fundamental Study of the Concept of Wisdom in the Mendicant Orders of the 13th Century
Basic Research Division
Specific Research Grants (Individual)
A Fundamental Study of the Concept of Wisdom in the Mendicant Orders of the 13th Century
FY 2025
Principal Investigator
Masahiro Yamaguchi (Associate Professor, Faculty of Letters, Ryukoku University)
Research Type
Individual Research
Overview
The modern era demands the coexistence of multiple cultures and religions. When the global development of Buddhism is considered in this context, comparative studies with Christianity provide an essential foundation for deepening mutual understanding and dialogue between the two religions. In particular, in the field of Western medieval thought, comparative research has been conducted in various ways. However, there are still topics that need to be addressed.
As one of these unexamined themes, this research focuses on the 13th-century Western mendicant orders, particularly the Franciscan thinker Bonaventure, and elucidates the characteristics of the concept of wisdom (sapientia). This project aims to reflect recent research findings on ontology and epistemology in this work, thereby deepening our understanding. In addition, by comparing this concept of wisdom with that of Buddhist thought, the project aims to provide a new basis for exploring the relationship between Buddhism and Christianity as world religions.