Meaning of scholasticism (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Scholastic:

Scholasticism is the result of the union of philosophical thought and theological thought to understand and explain the supernatural revelations of Christianity.

The word scholastic derives from the medieval Latin scholasticus , which means "scholar" and this from the Greek scholastikós . As a synonym, the word scholasticism can be used.

Scholasticism developed during the Middle Ages in Western Europe between the 11th and 15th centuries.

The knowledge of scholasticism was applied in the schools and universities of that time, relying both on the philosophical and natural theories of Aristotle and other philosophers and on the religious knowledge of Christianity, Judaism and other religions.

Therefore, scholasticism is a philosophical trend that sought to relate and integrate reason in the best possible way with faith, but always placing faith above reason.

That is, the scholastic sought to answer in an understandable way all those doubts that were generated between reason and faith, especially, because for the scholastics the human being is the image of God, for that reason he leaned on dialectics, logic, ethics, theology, cosmology, metaphysics and psychology.

That is, a large volume of the knowledge that people possess derives from the experience and use of reason, however, there is another percentage that is adopted from the revelations of the faith and that cannot be explained from reality.

In this sense, philosophical knowledge is placed at the order of theology, it is subordinated, to allow the interpretation and understanding of faith.

See also Philosophy.

Scholastic characteristics

Below are the main characteristics of the scholastic current.

• Its main purpose was to integrate the knowledge that was held separate from both reason, by the Greek philosophers, and Christian revelations. The scholastics believed in the harmony between the foundations of reason and faith. Philosophy helps theology explain the mysteries and revelations of faith so that reason can understand them. In the Middle Ages he used a didactic method to explain and teach scholasticism. Each topic was treated with the utmost care and dedication through reading and public discussion. For Christianity scholasticism was a tool to understand the faith. Saint Thomas Aquinas was its maximum representative in the 13th century.

See also:

• Theology. Theodicy.