CFP: Doctor Virtualis 21 (2026): History and the Middle Ages. An open question

Call for paper DV 21 (2026): History and the Middle Ages. An open question

The next issue of Doctor Virtualis aims to explore the relationship between history and the Middle Ages from two interconnected—rather than opposing—angles: the conception of history in the Middle Ages and the conception of history of the Middle Ages.

It is evident that these two perspectives point to two fundamental questions that the upcoming issue does not intend to avoid:

• When does historical consciousness emerge in humankind? Along what paths does it develop? What dialectical relationship is established between history and memory on the one hand, and history and oblivion on the other?
• Is the Middle Ages a historical era or a mere convention? In either case, how has this notion evolved over time?

We propose dividing the upcoming issue into two parts, corresponding to the subjective and objective meanings of the expression "history of the Middle Ages":

• On one hand, we aim to investigate whether among medieval authors there existed a historical consciousness that, by attributing depth to the past, inserted it into a process with meaningful consequences for the present and the construction of the future. We believe this must be done with careful attention to the distinct cultural contexts in which such reflections occur (Jewish, Christian, Islamic). In this regard, we cannot overlook the consideration of history as circular or linear, and the notion of the "end of times" often tied to a teleological perspective.
• On the other hand, moving toward the present day—here lies the objective dimension of the previously mentioned expression—we intend to revisit, in light of the latest research and scholarly advancements, a question that, in its provocative tone, seeks to stimulate reflection: Does the Middle Ages still exist, understood as a historiographical object? The second part of the issue will focus on how new paradigms, new lines of inquiry—some of which have explored previously uncharted areas—and, why not, new categorizations, have altered the very concept of the Middle Ages.

We therefore invite contributions that engage with the questions raised above, ideally (though not exclusively) within the following thematic guidelines:

• The Middle Ages (subjective genitive): did it engage with history beyond compiling chronicles of the past?
  • Does this work manifest as a theoretical reflection on the past to seek orientational models for present action?
  • Is there, in the Middle Ages, a more philosophical reflection on the meaning of the past and the historical nature of humanity?
  • Can this reflection be disentangled from an eschatological perspective? Does that perspective constrain or enrich the medieval individual’s perception of their own historicity?
  • Do the historical character of the biblical worldview and the timeless language of Greek philosophy collaborate or conflict in shaping medieval individuals’ perception of their temporally determined anthropological condition?
  • In medieval reflection on the past, do the various "Middle Ages" (chronological or cultural milieus) exhibit different reference frameworks?
  • Does something resembling a history of thought exist in the Middle Ages?
• The Middle Ages (objective genitive): Does it still exist?

• How do historians of the medieval period or medieval philosophy construct their object of study?
• How has the relationship of continuity/discontinuity with preceding and subsequent periods evolved in recent decades?
• Is there a shared identity of the Middle Ages shaped around a distinctive "value" that sets it apart from other historical eras?
• How has the object "Middle Ages" (in both historical and philosophical senses) evolved over the 20th century and the early 21st?

• What is the dialectical relationship between that evolution and our contemporary moment?
• What awareness do medieval scholars have of their own work and their relationship with sources? What epistemological frameworks have they used—or are using—to seek a truth of the past?

Deadlines

1. Submission of the article proposal in the form of an abstract (6000/8000 characters) by 30/9/2025.
2. Following acceptance of the proposal, articles (35/45 thousand characters) will be due by 15/1/2026 (please follow the journal's editorial rules available on the website).
3. Articles will be reviewed and final acceptance will take place in spring 2026

Expected publication: autumn 2026

Contributions in English are encouraged

Proposals should be sent to the following addresses:

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]