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Who were the influential philosophers during the Middle Ages?
We speak of Plato, Aristotle, Nietzsche, Machiavelli, etc... but were there any philosophers during the Middle Ages that were significantly influential and important to the history of philosophy?
If so, please specify their contributions to philosophy.
Here is a brief list of those medieval philosophers I myself am aware of, so it is certainly not exhaustive:
St. Augustine (4th-5th century) is borderline medieval, but very crucial to an understanding of much of medieval philosophy (since theology dominated during this period). Augustine's Confessions is a work of metaphysics and Christian theology that had (and continues to have, to a lesser degree) a very prominent influence in proceeding philosophy. Augustine himself is the leader of an entire monastic movement, and so also has a strong religious influence today.
St. Anselm was another quite prominent Christian philosopher, although he came much later than Augustine - the 11th century. Anselm is probably best credited for the ontological argument for God (referenced by later philosophers Descartes and Kant), a very influential argument that has been both widely supported and objected to.
Maimonides was perhaps the most influential Jewish philosopher, and lived in the 12th century. His works included significant interpretations of the 613 Jewish commandments, and an analysis of the concepts entailed by monotheism. He also focused his philosophy on creation, and developed a theory with classical influences. His philosophy, too, has been very influential in theology and metaphysics.
Ibn Sina (also known as Avicenna) was one of the most prominent Muslim philosophers of the Medieval era, and also lived in the 12th century. Although it is difficult to point out a specific Islamic thinker that dominated this period, Ibn Sina is likely one of the more significant influences. Like other medieval philosophers, his extensive works often covered metaphysics, but from an Islamic point of view. Much of his philosophical pursuits focused on the reconciliation of rational philosophy with religion (a very relevant issue, soon made apparent in the Renaissance). His other influences include law and medicine.
Again, this list is in no way complete; I have just listed those philosophers I know of.
This is the list that Wikipedia offers, which is arbitrary, but as good a place to start as any:
Abd-el-latif · Peter Abelard · Petrus Aureolus · Abu'l-Barakāt al-Baghdādī · Abu Rayhan Biruni (Alberonius) · Alcuin · Al Amiri · Al-Farabi (Alpharabius) · Al-Ghazali (Algazel) · Al-Jahiz · Alkindus · Al-Razi (Rhazes) · Alain de Lille · Albertus Magnus · Albert of Saxony · Alexander of Hales · Anselm of Canterbury · Anselm of Laon · Thomas Aquinas · Athir al-Din al-Abhari · Augustine of Hippo · Averroës · Avicenna · Ayn-al-Quzat Hamadani · Bernard of Chartres · Boethius · Bonaventure · Brethren of Purity · Jean Buridan · Dominicus Gundissalinus · Durandus · Duns Scotus · Francesc Eiximenis · Fakhr al-Din al-Razi · Gersonides · Gilbert de la Porrée · Giles of Rome · Godfrey of Fontaines · John Hennon · Henry of Ghent · Hugh of St Victor · Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen) · Ibn al-Nafis · Ibn al-Rawandi · Ibn Arabi · Ibn Bajjah (Avempace) · Ibn Hazm · Ibn Khaldun · Ibn Masarrah · Ibn Miskawayh · Ibn Taymiyyah · Ibn Tufail · Isidore of Seville · John Peckham · Johannes Scotus Eriugena · Lambertus de Monte · Maimonides · Mohammad Ibn Abd-al-Haq Ibn Sab'in · Nasir al-Din al-Tusi · Nicole Oresme · Paul of Venice · Peter Lombard · Pierre de Maricourt · Qutb al-Din al-Shirazi · Ramon Llull · Rashid al-Din · Richard of St. Victor · Robert Grosseteste · Roger Bacon · Roscelin · Shahab al-Din Suhrawardi · Vincent Ferrer · William of Ockham · Zachariah Kazwin ·
