In this book, Muir explores an era of cultural innovation that promoted free inquiry in the face of philosophical and theological orthodoxy, advocated libertine morals, critiqued the tyranny of aristocratic fathers over their daughters, and expanded the theatrical potential of grand opera. In so doing, he reveals the distinguished past of today's culture wars, including debates about the place of women in society, the clash between science and faith, and the power of the arts to stir emotions.

This study explores a prominent Italian Renaissance theme, the origin of genius, revealing how the coalescence of a Platonic theory of divine frenzy and an Aristotelian theory of melancholy genius eventually disintegrated under the force of late Renaissance events.

Chapter I: Montaigne -- chapter II: Peter Ramus -- chapter III: Charron -- chapter IV: Sanchez -- chapter V: La Mothe-Le-Vayer -- chapter VI: Pascal -- Index to literary references -- Index to subjects

Leading international contributors present a lively and interdisciplinary panorama of the Italian Renaissance as it has developed in recent decades.