The Institute, in collaboration with scholars from Japan and abroad, conducts research on the thought and cultural legacy of the Western middle ages, from ancient Christianity to the Renaissance. The research covers various aspects of medieval culture, especially philosophy, theology, history in general, history of the church, history of law, literature, arts, and sciences. The Institute strives to promote the understanding of Western culture through the publication of original texts in translation and of academic research.

Scholars from Sophia University, in connection with researchers of medieval thought from other universities in the Kanto area, in 1956 established an “Office for research in medieval philosophy,” attached to the Faculty of Humanities at Sophia University, as a supra-regional center of research in this field. In 1976, the research office was upgraded to Sophia University’s “Institute of Medieval Thought,” with the purpose of carrying out advanced research in the thought and culture of the European middle ages.

• The Institute plans and publishes translations of texts sourced from medieval times and academic research studies.
• The Institute collects books and treatises, and makes them available for researchers and students to browse and borrow. (The specialized library houses approximately 60,000 volumes, including magazines.)
• The Institute sponsors lectures by visiting scholars and organizes study circles for researchers and students.