Von Bienen Lernen. Das Bonum Universale de Apibus des Thomas Von Cantimpré Als Gemeinschaftsentwurf

By Julia Burkhardt

Book Description

In the thirteenth century, Dominican friar Thomas of Cantimpré embarked on an extraordinary quest to understand the perfect human community. His search led him to an unexpected teacher: the humble bee. Drawing profound insights from the intricate social world of the hive, Thomas crafted his remarkable Latin work, the "Bonum universale de apibus" or "Universal Good of Bees."

This fascinating medieval text reveals how one spiritual thinker used nature's wisdom to illuminate the complexities of human relationships and social harmony. Thomas explored the hierarchies, virtues, and challenges of communal life through the lens of bee society, weaving together spiritual instruction with entertaining stories from everyday medieval existence. His innovative approach created a practical handbook designed to support Dominican preachers and teachers in their sacred work.

The enduring appeal of learning from bees captured medieval imagination so powerfully that scribes copied this "Bee Book" over one hundred times across the centuries. Julia Burkhardt now presents this influential work in its first critically annotated edition, complete with German translation and comprehensive analysis of both the text and its remarkable transmission history.

For modern readers seeking wisdom about community, leadership, and spiritual growth, this scholarly edition opens a window into medieval insights that remain surprisingly relevant. Thomas of Cantimpré's unique blend of natural observation and spiritual reflection offers timeless lessons about creating harmonious relationships and meaningful collective purpose.