Scholasticism  

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 +{{Redirect|Scholastics||Scholastic (disambiguation){{!}}Scholastic}}
-'''Scholasticism''' is derived from the [[Latin]] word ''scholasticus'' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: ''σχολαστικός''), which means "that [which] belongs to the school", and was a method of learning taught by the [[academics]] (or ''school people'') of medieval [[university|universities]] circa 1100–1500. Scholasticism originally started to reconcile the [[philosophy]] of the ancient classical philosophers with medieval Christian theology. Scholasticism is not a philosophy or theology in itself but a tool and method for learning which places emphasis on [[dialectical reasoning]]. The primary purpose of scholasticism is to find the answer to a question or to resolve a contradiction. It is most well-known for its application in medieval theology, but was eventually applied to classical philosophy and many other fields of study.+[[File:Laurentius de Voltolina 001.jpg|290px|right|thumb|14th-century image of a university lecture]]
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 +{{Scholasticism}}
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 +'''Scholasticism''' is a method of critical thought which dominated teaching by the [[academics]] ("scholastics," or "schoolmen"{{anchor|Schoolmen}}) of [[medieval university|medieval universities]] in Europe from about 1100–1700, and a program of employing that method in articulating and defending [[dogma]] in an increasingly pluralistic context. It originated as an outgrowth of, and a departure from, Christian [[monastic]] schools at the earliest European universities. The first institutions in the West to be considered [[University|universities]] were established in Italy, France, Spain and England in the late 11th and the 12th centuries for the study of [[Liberal arts|arts]], [[law]], [[medicine]], and [[theology]], such as the [[University of Salerno]], the [[University of Bologna]], and the [[University of Paris]]. It is difficult to define the date at which they became true universities, although the lists of [[studium generale|studia generalia]] for higher education in Europe held by the [[Catholic Church]] and its various [[Religious Order|religious orders]] are a useful guide.
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 +Not so much a philosophy or a theology as a method of learning, scholasticism places a strong emphasis on [[dialectical reasoning]] to extend knowledge by [[inference]], and to resolve [[contradictions]]. Scholastic thought is also known for rigorous conceptual analysis and the careful drawing of distinctions. In the classroom and in writing, it often takes the form of explicit [[disputation]]: a topic drawn from the tradition is broached in the form of a question, opponents' responses are given, a counterproposal is argued and opponent's arguments rebutted. Because of its emphasis on rigorous dialectical method, scholasticism was eventually applied to many other fields of study.
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 +As a program, scholasticism began as an attempt at harmonization on the part of medieval Christian thinkers: to harmonize the various authorities of their own tradition, and to reconcile Christian theology with classical and late antiquity philosophy, especially that of [[Aristotle]] but also of [[Neoplatonism]]. (See also [[Christian apologetics]].)
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 +Some of the main figures of scholasticism include [[Anselm of Canterbury]], [[Peter Abelard]], [[Alexander of Hales]], [[Albertus Magnus]], [[Duns Scotus]], [[William of Ockham]], [[Bonaventure]] and [[Thomas Aquinas]]. Aquinas's masterwork ''[[Summa Theologica]]'', considered to be the pinnacle of scholastic, medieval, and Christian philosophy, began while Aquinas was regent master at the ''studium provinciale'' of [[Santa Sabina]] in Rome, the forerunner of the [[Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas|Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, ''Angelicum'']]. Important work in the scholastic tradition has been carried on well past Aquinas's time, for instance by [[Francisco Suárez]] and [[Luis de Molina]], and also among Lutheran and Reformed thinkers.
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 + 
 +== See also ==
 + 
 +* [[Actus primus]]
 +* [[Aristotelianism]]
 +* [[Medieval philosophy]]
 +* [[History of science in the Middle Ages]]
 +* [[List of scholastic philosophers]]
 +* [[Renaissance of the 12th century]]
 +* [[Scotism]]
 +* [[Nominalism]]
==See also== ==See also==
*[[Actus primus]] *[[Actus primus]]

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290px|right|thumb|14th-century image of a university lecture

Template:Scholasticism

Scholasticism is a method of critical thought which dominated teaching by the academics ("scholastics," or "schoolmen"Template:Anchor) of medieval universities in Europe from about 1100–1700, and a program of employing that method in articulating and defending dogma in an increasingly pluralistic context. It originated as an outgrowth of, and a departure from, Christian monastic schools at the earliest European universities. The first institutions in the West to be considered universities were established in Italy, France, Spain and England in the late 11th and the 12th centuries for the study of arts, law, medicine, and theology, such as the University of Salerno, the University of Bologna, and the University of Paris. It is difficult to define the date at which they became true universities, although the lists of studia generalia for higher education in Europe held by the Catholic Church and its various religious orders are a useful guide.

Not so much a philosophy or a theology as a method of learning, scholasticism places a strong emphasis on dialectical reasoning to extend knowledge by inference, and to resolve contradictions. Scholastic thought is also known for rigorous conceptual analysis and the careful drawing of distinctions. In the classroom and in writing, it often takes the form of explicit disputation: a topic drawn from the tradition is broached in the form of a question, opponents' responses are given, a counterproposal is argued and opponent's arguments rebutted. Because of its emphasis on rigorous dialectical method, scholasticism was eventually applied to many other fields of study.

As a program, scholasticism began as an attempt at harmonization on the part of medieval Christian thinkers: to harmonize the various authorities of their own tradition, and to reconcile Christian theology with classical and late antiquity philosophy, especially that of Aristotle but also of Neoplatonism. (See also Christian apologetics.)

Some of the main figures of scholasticism include Anselm of Canterbury, Peter Abelard, Alexander of Hales, Albertus Magnus, Duns Scotus, William of Ockham, Bonaventure and Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas's masterwork Summa Theologica, considered to be the pinnacle of scholastic, medieval, and Christian philosophy, began while Aquinas was regent master at the studium provinciale of Santa Sabina in Rome, the forerunner of the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Angelicum. Important work in the scholastic tradition has been carried on well past Aquinas's time, for instance by Francisco Suárez and Luis de Molina, and also among Lutheran and Reformed thinkers.


See also

See also




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