Introducción: patrística, siglo de oro árabe y escolástica | VI Filosofía medieval 1 | T06 E01

Introduction to Medieval Philosophy

Overview of the Medieval Period

• The medieval period, also known as the Middle Ages, spans from 476 AD (fall of the Western Roman Empire) to 1453 AD (fall of Constantinople), with some historians marking its end in 1492 (discovery of America) .

• This era follows ancient philosophy and precedes modern philosophy, which begins during the Renaissance. The classification of medieval philosophy is somewhat arbitrary and does not align perfectly with historical timelines .

Historical Context and Philosophers

• A timeline illustrates the transition from pre-Socratic philosophers to classical figures like Plato and Aristotle, followed by Hellenistic schools such as Stoicism and Epicureanism around the start of our era. This coincides with early Christian thinkers like apostolic fathers and bishops .

• Neoplatonism emerged contemporaneously with early church fathers, complicating categorization as "medieval" since many lived before 476 AD. It may be more accurate to refer to them as Christian thinkers from antiquity rather than strictly medieval philosophers .

Defining Medieval Philosophy

Ideological Perspective

• Medieval philosophy is defined ideologically; it includes thinkers who accepted dogmas from one of three monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, or Islam. This acceptance shapes their philosophical inquiries .

• The integration of theology into speculative thought characterizes this period. Dogmatic principles derived from religious traditions cannot be questioned, leading to a famous Latin phrase: "philosophia ancilla theologiae," meaning philosophy serves theology .

Distinctions Among Philosophers

• Identifying a philosopher as medieval often hinges on their adherence to religious dogma rather than their chronological placement in history. For instance, Augustine of Hippo is recognized as a medieval philosopher despite being born before 476 AD .

• These distinctions serve primarily pedagogical purposes for understanding different philosophical stages but are not rigid classifications .

Key Phases in Medieval Philosophy

The Patristic Period

• The patristic phase refers to early church fathers—monks, priests, and bishops—who defended faith and shaped Christian doctrine. Not all were philosophers; many focused on religious leadership and evangelism .

Subdivisions within Patristics

1. Apostolic Fathers: Direct disciples of Jesus' apostles who preached the gospel; many were martyrs whose works are primarily theological .

2. Apologists: Defenders against pagan religions and Judaism during a time when Christians faced persecution under Roman rule; notable figures include Justin Martyr who integrated Christian ideas with Platonism .

Medieval Philosophy: The Relationship Between Faith and Reason

Tertullian's Critique of Philosophy

• Tertullian criticized philosophers, labeling them as "patriarchs of heretics," arguing that significant errors stem from reason rather than faith.

• He posited that the pursuit of truth should focus on faith, raising questions about the legitimacy of calling certain thinkers "philosophers."

The Role of Church Fathers in Establishing Dogma

• The period marked by the Church Fathers aimed not only to defend faith but also to establish common dogmas for Christians.

• Key figures included Pope Gregory I, Jerome (who translated the Bible into Latin), Ambrose, and Augustine of Hippo.

Development and Influence of Patristics

• Patristics developed alongside Neoplatonism, competing doctrinally while also drawing from its ideas.

• A timeline highlights early Christian thinkers like St. Paul, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Justin Martyr, and later Eastern and Western Church Fathers.

Crisis in Western Europe Post-Fifth Century

• Following Christ's fifth century, Western Europe faced crises due to barbarian invasions leading to the fall of the Roman Empire.

• This tumultuous period saw a decline in cultural development with few philosophical figures emerging.

Preservation and Flourishing of Knowledge in Other Regions

• Christianity persisted mainly in monasteries during this chaotic time; however, knowledge thrived in Constantinople and the Arab world.

• Baghdad became a cultural hub under Islam around 622 AD with significant contributions to philosophy and science by Muslim scholars.

The Scholastic Revival through Translation Efforts

• Arabic scholars preserved Greco-Roman texts translating them into Arabic which circulated throughout Islamic regions including North Africa and Spain.

• In Toledo, translators began converting these texts back into Latin leading to a gradual revival known as Scholasticism focused on harmonizing classical philosophy with religious revelation.

Introduction to Scholasticism

Origins and Early Development

• The term "scholasticism" originates around the year 1000 CE, marking the beginning of early scholasticism characterized by the initial reception of Greek texts.

• Influential figures from this period include Plato and Neoplatonists, with notable authors such as Peter Damian, Anselm of Canterbury, Peter Abelard, and Peter Lombard.

Institutional Growth

• Scholasticism initially flourished in monasteries and courts like that of Charlemagne but primarily developed within universities.

• Early European universities such as Sorbonne, Oxford, Cambridge, and Salamanca emerged during this time, focusing on theology while exploring physical reality through ancient philosophical texts.

Methodology of Scholasticism

• The term "scholastic" derives from Latin "scholasticos," referring to studious individuals focused on clarifying theological and philosophical issues based on authoritative sources.

• The method involved a structured approach: reading/commentary on texts, questioning revelations or opinions from church fathers, followed by disputation to clarify meanings. This is known as the scholastic method.

Key Philosophical Issues

• Major topics addressed during the scholastic period included:

• Nature of God

• Existence of universals (abstract concepts)

• Relationship between faith and reason

• Creation of the world

• Problem of evil

Influence of Mendicant Orders

Dominicans and Franciscans

• The rise of two mendicant orders—the Dominicans (white and black) founded by Dominic de Guzmán and Franciscans (brown) founded by Francis of Assisi—marked a significant development in scholastic thought.

• These orders initially focused on preaching but later engaged in research and documentation regarding religious controversies. Notable thinkers included Thomas Aquinas for Dominicans and Roger Bacon for Franciscans.

Integration with Aristotelian Philosophy

• Late scholastics benefited from reintroduced Aristotelian philosophy through translations facilitated by Arabic scholars at Toledo's translation school. This led to debates about reconciling Aristotle with Christian doctrine.

• Thomas Aquinas played a pivotal role in synthesizing Catholic teachings with Aristotelian thought during this era marked by extensive discussions on religious doctrine intertwined with Aristotelian knowledge.

Scholasticism's Legacy

Transition to Humanism

• While scholasticism reached its zenith in the 13th century with figures like Thomas Aquinas, it eventually transitioned into humanist thought leading into the Renaissance—a shift that will be explored further later on.

Philosophical Debate

• There remains an ongoing debate regarding whether medieval philosophy should be viewed as legitimate philosophy or merely a historical account tied closely to ecclesiastical dogma; some argue it lacks true philosophical freedom due to its subordination to religious authority.

Importance for Understanding Philosophy's Evolution

• Despite criticisms regarding its dogmatic nature, this period is crucial for understanding transitions in philosophical thought leading up to modernity; Hegel noted its cultural significance over theoretical contributions alone during these centuries.