Scholasticism,
The Medieval Synthesis
Encountering Aristotle
in the middle-ages
Faith and Reason united
by German painter Ludwig Seitz (1844–1908)
CVSP 202 General Lecture
Monday, October 27th, 2015
Hani Hassan
The inscription: “divinarum veritatum splendor,
animo exceptus, ipsam juvat intelligentiam” is
from Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical Aeterni Patris,
1879, and it translates:
“The splendor of the divine truths, received
into the mind, helps the understanding”
http://sumateologica.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/faith-and-reason-united_ludwig-seitz.jpg
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
SCHOLASTIC: “from Middle French scholastique, from Latin
scholasticus "learned," from Greek skholastikos "studious,
learned"”
[Source: Online Etymology Dictionary (www.etymonline.com)]
Came to be associated with the ‘teachers’ and churchmen in
European Universities whose work was generally rooted in
Aristotle and the Church Fathers.
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
“That superstitious and senseless race of
professors who make their pupils swear never to
contradict Aristotle.”
(Laurentius Valla, 15th Century Italian Humanist)
“Three centuries at the bottom of that gloomy
abyss did not add a single idea to man's intellectual
inheritance.”
(Hippolyte Taine, 19th Century French critic and historian)
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
A.
B.
C.
D.
Procure the corpus, and make sure
that no word of such discovery gets
out until you can figure out what to
do with it
Make sure that no word of such a
discovery ever gets out, and destroy
the corpus
Bring together a group of scholars to
study and translate the corpus
Procure the corpus and sell it to the
highest bidder
0%
A.
0%
0%
B.
C.
0%
D.
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
A.
Make a public announcement of the
discovery and its contents, urging all people
to re-examine their accepted world-view
B.
Burn all the manuscripts, and brand anyone
who would mention them and their content
as a ‘criminal’ of sorts
C.
Continue studying further, and seek out from
them what may indeed be of much use
D.
Cover up the fact of their having been
translated, pretend they just got discovered,
and sell to the highest bidder
0%
A.
0%
0%
B.
C.
0%
D.
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
Historic City of Toledo
(Listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Toledo Cathedral, housed the
translators in the 12th Century
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toledo_School_of_Translators
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tagus-Toledo.JPG
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
From Toledo to Provence and thereon to Palermo
Route from Toledo, through Provence, to Palermo as
suggested by Google maps;
Distance (following main roads by car): 3000+ Km
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
Translation of Aristotle’s Metaphysica, Physica,
and De Meteoris, 13th century,
Thought to be that of William of Moerbeke
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotle
http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/dbtw-wpd/virt-exhib/realgold/Science/aristotle.html
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
A.
B.
C.
D.
The common people of Toledo
The political powers in Toledo
The Archbishop of Toledo
The Scholars and school-men
of Toledo
0%
A.
0%
0%
B.
C.
0%
D.
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
Historic City of Toledo
(Listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Toledo Cathedral, housed the
translators in the 12th Century
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toledo_School_of_Translators
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tagus-Toledo.JPG
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
Boethius
(early 6th Century)
Boethius’
Consolation of
Philosophy,
John Scotus Eriugena
(9th Century)
(15th Century copy)
http://faithc21.blogspot.com/2012/02/christwears-two-shoes.html
http://epistole.wordpress.com/2009/06/30/platos
-theism-and-martyrs-humanism/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nationallibrarynz
_commons/5343921675/
Christ wears 'two shoes' in
the world: scripture and
nature. Both are necessary to
understand the Lord, and at
no stage can creation be seen
as a separation of things
from God. (Eriugena)
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
Anselm
(11th Century)
http://orandietcredendi.blogspot.com/2012/06/gods-mercyaccording-to-st-anselm-of.html
Illustrating the Christian Faith,
in St. Anselm's 'Similitudes' and Other
Works (1225)
http://idlespeculations-terryprest.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
Abelard
(12th Century)
http://www.nndb.com/people/161/000030071/
Portrait of Robert Grosseteste,
Bishop of Lincoln (13th Century)
Produced in England - 13th century
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Grosseteste_bishop.jpg
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
eview question: Who is featured on both sides in the background
of the painting by Ludwig Seitz that we made reference to at the
outset of today’s presentation?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Pope Leo XIII
Thomas Aquinas
Augustine of Hippo
Averroes (Ibn Rushd)
0%
A.
0%
0%
B.
C.
0%
D.
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
Three ‘Synthesizers’:
Ibn Rushd (Averroes)
Musa Ibn Maymun
(Maimonides)
Thomas Aquinas
Aristotle’s Metaphysics,
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
with Ibn Rushd’s commentary
(left hand column)
Translated 14th C
http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/~thoqh49081/andalucia/exc-cordoba.html
http://muslimheritage.com/topics/default.cfm?ArticleID=1383
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
Ibn Rushd:
Born 1126, Córdoba - Spain
Studied: Maliki law and Ahs’ari Kalam, philosophy,
medicine…
Met Ibn Tufayl in Marakesh in 1153, and Abū Ya’qūb Yūsuf
1169, and was commissioned by the latter to write
commentaries on Aristotle
Judge of Seville: 1169-1172; Chief judge of Cordoba: 1172-1182;
physician to the royal court as of 1182
Wrote profusely on Aristotle, as well as on philosophy,
medicine, Law…
1195: fell from grace and exiled
Died: 1198, Marakesh
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
“If the activity of philosophy is nothing more than
study of existing beings and reflection upon them as
indications of the Artisan… and if the Law has
encouraged and urged reflection on beings, then it is
clear that what this name signifies is either obligatory
or recommended by law.” (p. 2)
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
“Reflect you have vision” (59:2)
“Have they not studied the kingdom of the heavens
and the earth, and whatever things God has created?”
(7:184)
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
“reflection is nothing more than inference and
drawing out the unknown from the known, and since
this is reasoning or at any rate done by reasoning,
therefore we are under an obligation to carry our study
of beings by intellectual reasoning.” (p. 2)
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
Summary of the argument:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The Law obliges us to study beings and reflect on them.
Reflection is only possible through intellectual reasoning, the highest of which is
demonstration.
This means one has to study the rules and principles of reasoning, various types of
arguments, etc…
This means that one has to study the works of those before us who have done
work in these matters…
Having gained the skill, one has to now study beings and reflect upon them (back
to 1)
This means one has to study what those before us have done in this field (the
study of beings) just like with any other field..
As such: the Law obliges us to study philosophy.
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
Draft of Maimonides‘
Dalalat-al-Harin
(The Guide for the Perplexed),
Arabic in Hebrew characters
http://madamepickwickartblog.com/2012/07/candidatesfor-the-perplexed/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Manuscript_page_by_Maimonides_Arabic_in_Hebrew_letters.jpg
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
Moses Maimonides (Mūsā ibn Maymūn):
Born 1135, in Córdoba – Spain
Moved to southern Spain and then settled in Morocco, where
he studied at Jami’at al Qarawiyyin and wrote his first major
work, the commentary on the Mishnah
1168, moved with his family and settled in Fostat - Egypt
One of the most influential physicians of his time, eventually
official doctor to Saladin
1171, appointed Najid or leader of the Egyptian Jewish
community
Died: 1204, Egypt
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
“There cannot be any belief in the
unity of God except by admitting
that He is one simple substance,
without any composition or
plurality of elements” (Chapter 51, page 1)
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
“Every description of an object by an
affirmative attribute, which includes
the assertion that an object is of a
certain kind, must be made in one of
the following five ways” (Chapter 52, page 2)
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
First: Description by definition, i.e. explanation
of a name containing the true essence of the
object.
“All agree that this kind of description cannot be
given of God: for there are no previous causes to
His existence, by which He could be defined”
(Chapter 52, page 2)
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
Second: Description by part of its definition.
“All agree that this kind of description is
inappropriate in reference to God; for if we were
to speak of a portion of His essence, we should
consider His essence to be a compound.” (Chapter
52, page 2)
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
Third: Described by something different from its
true essence, and such a description relates to
quality, and this is then a description in reference
to accident.
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
“Hence it follows that no attribute coming under
the head of quality in its widest sense, can be
predicated of God. Consequently, these three
classes of attributes, describing the essence of a
thing, or part of the essence, or a quality of it, are
clearly inadmissible in reference to God.”
(Chapter 52, page 3)
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
Fourth: Description by the thing’s or
person’s relation to another thing.
Example: We are in West Hall; I am
Naya’s Father, etc…
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
Fifth manner to describe a thing is by its action,
i.e. actions performed by it. Example: Maimonides
who wrote the Guide to the Perplexed.
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
“In short, it is necessary to demonstrate by proof that nothing can
be predicated of God that implies any of the following four things:
corporeality, emotion or change, nonexistence… In this respect our
knowledge of God is aided by the study of Natural Science. For he
who is ignorant of the latter cannot understand the defect implied
in emotions, the difference between potentiality and reality, the
non-existence implied in all potentiality… He who knows these
things, but without their proofs, does not know the details which
logically result from these general propositions: and therefore he
cannot prove that God exists, or that the [four] things mentioned
above are inadmissible in reference to God.” (Chapter 54, page 10)
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
Recap question: What is the conclusion of Ibn Rushd’s discussion as
regards the attitude of the Law towards philosophy?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The Law allows the study of
Philosophy
The Law tolerates the study
of Philosophy
The Law commands the
study of Philosophy
The Law forbids the study
of Philosophy
0%
A.
0%
0%
B.
C.
0%
D.
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa
theologica, pars secundus, secundus
liber. [Strasbourg: Johann Mentelin,
before Advent 1463].
http://smu.edu/bridwell_tools/specialcollections/Highlights2010/
HIGHLIGHTS.Theology2.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Aquinas
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
Thomas Aquinas (Tomasso D’Aquino):
Born: 1225, Aquino - Southern Italy
Went to Paris as a student, then to Cologne to teach
Ordained in 1250, and soon after given a teaching position in
Paris
Worked towards his Doctor of Theology, received it in 1257
Central influence on the development of Scholasticism,
particularly through his work Summa Theologiae
The Summa Theologiae left unfinished, following a profound
‘revelationary’ experience in 1273, in light of which he abandons
writing, explaining to his secretary (Brother Reginald):
“I can write no more. All that I have written seems like straw.”
Died: 1274 - (canonized 1323)
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
Summa Theologiae
Question II: The Existence of God
(In Three Articles)
“(1) Whether the proposition God exists
is self-evident? (2) Whether it is
demonstrable? (3) Whether God exists?”
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
First Article
WHETHER THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
IS SELF-EVIDENT?
Three objections:
First: “The Knowledge of God is naturally implanted in all”
(John of Damascus, or John Damascene)
Second: “as soon as the name God is understood it exists
mentally, it also follows that it exists actually.”
Third: “if there is anything true, there must be truth. But
God is truth itself: I am the way, the truth, and the life (Jo.
xiv.6). Therefore God exists is self-evident.”
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
“But the opposite of the proposition
God is can be mentally admitted: The
fool said in his heart, There is no God
(Ps. Iii.1). Therefore, that God exists
is not self-evident.”
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
Aquinas’ Three Replies:
To the First objection: “To know that God exists in a general and
confused way is implanted in us by nature […] This, however, is
not to know absolutely that God exists”
To the Second: “Perhaps not everyone who hears this name God
understands it to signify something than which nothing greater
can be thought, seeing that some have believed God to be a body”
To the Third: “The existence of truth in general is self-evident,
but the existence of a Primal Truth is not self-evident to us.”
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
Second Article
WHETHER IT CAN BE DEMONSTRATED THAT GOD EXISTS?
Three objections:
First: “…it is an article of faith that God exists. But what is of
faith cannot be demonstrated.”
Second: “is the middle term of demonstration. But we cannot
know in what God's essence consists […] Therefore we cannot
demonstrate that God exists.”
Third: “…since a cause cannot be demonstrated by an effect
not proportioned to it, it seems that the existence of God cannot
be demonstrated.”
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
“When an effect is better known to us
than its cause, from the effect we proceed
to the knowledge of the cause. And from
every effect the existence of its proper
cause can be demonstrated, so long as its
effects are better known to us.”
Scholasticism, aka The Medieval Synthesis
“In reliving the Aristotelian Revolution, we understand that we are
not just the children of Copernicus and Galileo, Adam Smith, and
Thomas Jefferson, but Aristotle’s children: the heirs of a medieval
tradition that seems more intriguing and inspiring as the
shortcomings of modernity become clearer. Of course, most of us
would not return to the Middle Ages if we could. Few people today
would embrace the assumptions and conclusions of the medieval
scholastics. But the Aristotelian’s quest for meaning is also ours,
and we have much to learn from their vision of a science infused
by ethics and a religion unafraid of reason. In this little known but
formative chapter of our history, we may detect hints of a more
humane and integrated global future.”
From the preface to Aristotle’s Children, by Richard Rubenstein, 2003.