Forms of Individuality in the Medieval and Early Modern Periods

Through case studies of a broad variety of medieval and early modern sources, this volume discusses whether the roots of modern notions of individuality can be found in pre-modern Europe. Individuality is one of the central categories of modern society. Can the roots of modern individuality be found in pre-modern times? Or is our way of thinking about ourselves a very recent phenomenon? This book takes a theoretical approach to the problem, derived from Niklas Luhmanns system theory, in which different forms of individuality are linked to different structures of society in modern and pre-modern times. The papers in this volume approach this problem by discussing a broad variety of medieval and early modern sources, including charters and seals, letters, and naming-practices in a late medieval town. Self-representation is also considered, in housebooks and drawings. Textual studies include autobiography in German Humanism, and concepts of individuality and gender in late medieval literary texts

Year

2015

Language

English

Publisher

Brepols Publishers

Editions

1

Pages

317

ISBN

9782503552200

Data source: Wikidata