Philosophy is the attempt to answer particular questions using transparent and convincing argument. Fundamental philosophical questions are questions about our understanding of the world in general and our place in it. As a matter of principle, these questions can only be answered through controversy. The series Basic Topics in Philosophy aims to provide a space for the discussion of such fundamental philosophical questions. Instead of providing a comprehensive introductory presentation, each volume will take issue with selected historical positions in order to analyse the particular problem and discuss possible solutions. At the same time, the authors will set their own marks and take up positions, so that the result will not be merely a view of the history of philosophy, but also a systematic contribution to the problem under discussion. The volumes in the series are intended equally for students of philosophy and other subjects and for professional philosophers. In addition, the series is aimed at all those readers with an interest in fundamental questions of philosophy.

The Altdeutsche Textbibliothek [Old German Text Library] is the series of editions of German medieval texts with the richest history. Founded in 1881 by Hermann Paul, it has been edited by leading Germanists – Georg Beasecke, Hugo Kuhn, Burghart Wachinger. Since 2001, responsibility for the series has rested with Christian Kiening.In the meantime, the series comprises some 120 volumes, with an exemplary combination of closeness to the original manuscript(s) with ease of reading, philological accuracy with concern for university teaching. It includes recognised editions of “classical” authors from around 1200 – some with commentary – but also presents veritable editions of authors’ works (Notker the German) and high-quality new editions (Eckenlied, Heinrich von dem Türlin).

Philosophy is the attempt to answer particular questions using transparent and convincing argument. Fundamental philosophical questions are questions about our understanding of the world in general and our place in it. As a matter of principle, these questions can only be answered through controversy. The series Basic Topics in Philosophy aims to provide a space for the discussion of such fundamental philosophical questions. Instead of providing a comprehensive introductory presentation, each volume will take issue with selected historical positions in order to analyse the particular problem and discuss possible solutions. At the same time, the authors will set their own marks and take up positions, so that the result will not be merely a view of the history of philosophy, but also a systematic contribution to the problem under discussion. The volumes in the series are intended equally for students of philosophy and other subjects and for professional philosophers. In addition, the series is aimed at all those readers with an interest in fundamental questions of philosophy.