Introduction to Medieval Philosophy

---

1. New theme in Western Philosophy: major influence of organized religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) [NB: Later (Renaissance, Enlightenment) bias against this period precisely for this reason.]

2. Meanwhile, much of the terminology of modern philosophy derives from the period between the 1st and 15th centuries C.E.

3. New elements in Medieval philosophy
   • Transition to Christian philosophy: five significant new elements that Christian philosophy brings to the Western tradition:
     • time as a straight line, and as the history of salvation
     • the concept of creation (from nothing)
     • a loving, personal god
     • sin: the reality of evil, the importance of the will
     • revelation as a source of special knowledge (faith)
   • Influence (even control) of religious institutions on thought:
     • Three sources of knowledge:
       • Logic
       • Experience
       • Revelation
     • Leads to problem of reason v. revelation
     • Importance of interpretation (hermeneutics)
   • cp. Aquinas on the three uses of philosophy:
     1. "to demonstrate the preambles of faith"
     2. "to make known through certain likenesses what belongs to faith"
     3. "to oppose what is said against faith"
   • similar passages in Averroes & Maimonides
   • opposing views as well, including skeptical and irrationalist traditions
     • Paul: "to the Greeks foolishness " [1. Cor. 1. 18]
     • Tertullian: philosophy is "that rash interpreter of divince nature & order "

4. Major philosophical influences on medieval philosophy: Plato, Aristotle, & the Neoplatonists
   • A note on sources
     • Plato: known only second-hand and through an incomplete 3rd/4th cen. C.E. Latin translation with commentary by Chalcidius of the Timeaus until translations of the Meno and Phaedo appeared in the 12th cen. C.E.
     • Aristotle known only indirectly until 12th & 13th cen. C.E.
     • Plotinus & Proclus became available again about the 10th cen. C.E. via secondary translations from Arabic
     • (Pseudo-)Dionysius the Areopagite (7th/8th cen. C.E.???)
   • Plato's Influence: The Timaeus
   • Aristotle's Influence on medieval philosophy
     • rejected Plato's separation of form from matter.
     • universe: eternally moving (changing) system of celestial & terrestrial substances moved by desire to imitate the Prime Mover.
     • knowledge is possible because intellect can abstract forms from concrete individuals and can deduce the necessrity of a material substrate; sense experience has a fundamental role in this process.
     • hierarchical, organized universe: a great chain of being.
   • until the 12/13th cen. C.E. both Plato & Aristotle were interpreted through the lens of NeoPlatonism

5. Creeds: their philosophical significance
   • Philo: established some fundamental principles, approximating a creed:
     1. God exists.
     2. God is one.
     3. God created the world (ex nihilo.)
     4. There is only one world.
     5. God is providential.
     6. Accepting & understanding god's providence leads to happiness EUDAIMONIA.
   • Some traditional elements of Jewish thought missing from Philo's "creed"
     1. covenant: God speaking to particular individuals
     2. freedom as the basis of responsibility
     3. eternity of the law (Torah)
     4. everlasting reward & punishment
     5. resurrection
     6. Messiah
   • Christian creeds were facilitated by the organized church
     • Apostle's Creed (least philosophical baggage)
     • Nicene Creed (LOGOS as the instrument of creation
     • Athanasian creed: doctrines of Trinity & Incarnation
     • common elements of all three creeds:
       1. One omnipotent God created the universe from nothing (Maccabees 2:7)
       2. One substance, three persons.
       3. World is made from nothing by LOGOS (wisdom,word, associated with third person of the Trinity, the son.)
       4. Incarnation, suffering, death, resurrection, ascension
       5. salvation is by grace
       6. eternal blessedness for the community of believers
   • in Islam:
     • Role of creeds in spread of Islam more complicated
     • Basic creed: there is one God, Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet. [Cp. earliest Christian creed: "Jesus is lord!"]
     • One God
     • Mohammed his prophet
     • Judgment & after-life
     • Role of angels
     • Sources of religious authority:
       • Koran
       • consensus of the faithful
       • custom & law (by analogy)

revised November 23, 1996


Index to Study Guides


Return to main menu