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Juan de Segovia (d. 1458), theologian, translator of the Qur'an,
and lifelong advocate for the forging of peaceful relations between
Christians and Muslims, was one of Europe's leading intellectuals.
Today, however, few scholars are familiar with this important
fifteenth-century figure. In this well-documented study, Anne Marie
Wolf presents a clear, chronological narrative that follows the
thought and career of Segovia, who taught at the University of
Salamanca, represented the university at the Council of Basel
(1431-1449), and spent his final years arguing vigorously that
Europe should eschew war with the ascendant Ottoman Turks and
instead strive to convert them peacefully to Christianity. What
could make a prominent thinker, especially one who moved in circles
of power, depart so markedly from the dominant views of his day and
advance arguments that he knew would subject him to criticism and
even ridicule? Although some historians have suggested that the
multifaith heritage of his native Spain accounts for his
unconventional belief that peaceful dialogue with Muslims was
possible, Wolf argues that other aspects of his life and thought
were equally important. For example, his experiences at the Council
of Basel, where his defense of conciliarism in the face of
opposition contributed to his ability to defend an unpopular
position and where his insistence on conversion through peaceful
means was bolstered by discussions about the proper way to deal
with the Hussites, refined his arguments that peaceful conversion
was prefereable to war. Ultimately Wolf demonstrates that Segovia's
thought on Islam and the proper Christian stance toward the Muslim
world was consistent with his approach to other endeavors and with
cultural and intellectual movements at play throughout his career.
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