Description
With his constant attacks on the most esteemed and cherished foundations of religion and learning, French scholar Peter Ramus (1515-1572) was ever the controversial figure. In this study, Skalnik (U. of Virginia) describes Ramus' life and career as an academic reformer. In particular, he considers how the Ramist method an oversimplified, unsubtle, and mechanical system of the arts and sciences came to be so popular. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Educator and reformer Peter Ramus (1515-72) was known for his rash assaults on the most esteemed and cherished foundations of religion and learning in France. As a leading figure in both the French Reform and the University of Paris, and author of the pedagogical system known as "Ramism," he consistently promoted an ideology which would make status, influence, and authority dependent on talent and achievement, instead of on birth or wealth. His social ideal attracted a sizeable following and achieved some practical results during his lifetime, but after his death his reforms collapsed. In their place arose the hierarchical, oligarchic, and authoritarian society of Old Regime France. Skalnik presents fresh and solid research in this well-written volume.
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