Historia de la Filosofía Medieval

Philosophy of the Medieval Era

Overview of Medieval Philosophy

• The medieval philosophy spans from the 5th to the 14th century, marking a period of approximately 1000 years.

• After St. Augustine, there are few notable philosophers; this era is characterized by patristic thought, primarily influenced by Church Fathers.

Influence of the Catholic Church

• For about 700 to 800 years, significant philosophical thought in the Western world was concentrated within the Catholic Church, with key figures being bishops and monks.

• It is crucial not to judge historical events through a modern lens; during this time, the Catholic Church was a dominant institution shaping intellectual discourse.

Key Philosophers and Schools

• The majority of medieval philosophers were devout Catholics, with exceptions like Avicenna and Averroes who were Arab thinkers.

• The establishment of universities in Europe was initiated by the Catholic Church, leading to a concentration of philosophical study within these institutions.

Scholasticism: A Defining Feature

• Scholasticism emerged as a prominent method in medieval philosophy, peaking with Thomas Aquinas who synthesized classical philosophy with Christian theology.

• Unlike ancient philosophy dominated by Aristotle, medieval thought is heavily inspired by Christian faith while still valuing reason as complementary rather than contradictory.

Educational Structure: The Seven Liberal Arts

• Education during this period revolved around the seven liberal arts divided into trivium (grammar, dialectic, rhetoric) and quadrivium (arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, music). This curriculum aimed at liberating students' minds for professional life.

• Students typically began studying trivium at age 14 and progressed to quadrivium by age 17; these subjects were designed to cultivate well-rounded individuals capable of critical thinking and effective communication.

Characteristics of Scholasticism

Key Features of Scholasticism

• The three main characteristics of scholasticism are the union of faith and reason, the authority of Aristotle, and the method involving lexio, disputatio, and authoritates.

• The concept of authority in scholasticism is exemplified by Aristotle, who served as a significant reference point for scholars much like Kelsen in law or Freud in psychology.

• Aristotle's influence persisted even centuries after his time; he was cited extensively by medieval philosophers such as Thomas Aquinas.

• Ancient wisdom is viewed as a source of inspiration rather than outdated knowledge; it remains relevant in philosophical discussions.

• Philosophy during this period utilized a structured method: reading (lexio), discussion (disputatio), and referencing authorities to reach conclusions.

Methodology in Scholastic Philosophy

• The methodology involved first presenting a problem through reading (lexio), followed by rigorous discussion among teachers and students (disputatio).

• To resolve debates, scholars would cite authoritative figures like Aristotle or Plato to support their arguments and conclusions.

Periods of Scholastic Philosophy

Divisions within Scholasticism

• Medieval philosophy is divided into four periods: Pre-scholastic (9th century), Early Scholastic (10th - 11th century), High Scholastic (mainly with Thomas Aquinas), and Late Scholastic.

• Notable representatives include John Duns Scotus, Anselm of Canterbury, Peter Abelard, Avicenna, Averroes, Roger Bacon, Bonaventure, Albertus Magnus, Thomas Aquinas, Duns Scotus again for Late Scholastics.

Major Themes Discussed

• Medieval philosophers focused on demonstrating the existence of God through rational arguments rather than solely biblical references.

• Metaphysics gained prominence during this era as it explored created beings' essence related to God's self-sustaining existence.

• Philosophical theology introduced Anselm's ontological argument for God's existence while ethics centered around virtue ethics—doing good deeds.

• Economic justice was examined under divine judgment principles while political philosophy reflected participation in God's power.

Conclusion

The content emphasizes how scholastic philosophy intertwined faith with reason through structured methodologies while drawing heavily from ancient authorities like Aristotle. It also highlights key figures and themes that shaped medieval thought.