Introduction

The text introduces to the volume published in homage to the great contribution made by Loris Sturlese to the field of history of medieval philosophy. The importance, in the historical and conceptual reconstruction of medieval philosophical thought, of concentrating not only on the classical and most famous centres of production and transmission of knowledge, but also on the often neglected peripheries, which during the Middle Ages were increasingly important in giving impetus to the circulation of texts and ideas, is one of the most peculiar contributions, it is stressed, of Loris Sturlese's scientific production. In this sense, the notions of "centre" and "periphery" are not understood in a merely geographical sense, but also in conceptual, linguistic, historical and literary terms. The richness of this approach is demonstrated by the wide spectrum of contributions, ranging from Islamic philosophy to the Italian Renaissance,including the reception of ancient philosophy and Arabic scientific works in the Latin world, to 18th century French geography. Special attention is devoted to the philosophical thought developed in the German area. The book does not fail to give space to important medieval figures, such as Dante, and to more general philosophical notions, such as the concept of rationality.