Rooted in Humility? Virtues at the Crossroads of Medieval Ethics and Science

In this international workshop, scholars from a wide range of disciplines will contribute to a collective reflection on the interactions between ethical and moral discourse and scientific knowledge in the medieval period. In particular, the workshop will examine the various ways in which theories, concepts, terminology and methods from the mathematical sciences (geometry, astronomy, optics) and the natural sciences (biology, medicine, physiognomy) were employed in discussions concerning virtues and vices, with a specific focus on the different meanings attributed to the term virtus and the roles assumed by humility.

The workshop is organised by Elena Berti (Institut für Archäologie, Klassische Philologie und Altertumswissenschaften, UZH), Francesca Galli (Romanisches Seminar, UZH) and Silvia Negri (Historisches Seminar, UZH).