Scholasticism, derived from the Latin 'scholasticus', refers to the intellectual tradition of the medieval schoolmen primarily focused on Christian theology. It aimed to reconcile reason and faith using dialectical reasoning inspired by Aristotle, emphasizing critical analysis and synthesis of arguments. Key figures included St. Anselm of Canterbury, Peter Abelard, and St. Thomas Aquinas, who applied this method to teach and defend the Catholic faith.

1. What is
SCHOLAS-
TISM?

2. SCHOLASTICISM comes
from the word scholasticus,
a Latinized form of the
Greek word scholastikos,
which literally means“that
[which] pertains to a school”.

3. Hence, the scholastics
were referred to as
“the schoolmen”.
Scholasticism was generally
identified with Christian theology
during the Medieval period.

4. As is well known, the
early Christian thinkers
were confronted with
questions relating to the
reconciliation between
reason and revelation,
science and faith,
philosophy and theology.

5. They were also faced with
the task of defending and
universalizing the Catholic faith,
as well as
establishing
the authority
of the Bible.

6. Full transcript of this presentation is
available at:
https://philonotes.com/index.php/2019/11/09/what-is-
scholasticism/
A video version of this presentation is
available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx6ABdD14f8

7. In doing so, the Scholastics or
the “schoolmen” (referred to
specifically as the “Doctors of
the Church” or the teachers of
the faith) developed a method in
the teachings of the Church’s
dogmas.

8. As we can see, Scholasticism began
originally as an attempt to synthesize
Aristotle’s philosophy and Christian
theology and show what implications
this synthesis had for one’s life.
This led to the recovery and
appropriation of Aristotle’s
philosophy.

9. Scholasticism, therefore,
is not a philosophy nor a
theology but a tool and
method for learning
which emphasizes
dialectical reasoning
inspired by Aristotle.

10. As we know, in Aristotle,
dialectical reasoning involves
the exchange of argument (thesis)
and counterargument (antithesis)
in the pursuit of a conclusion
(synthesis), which eventually
leads to a resolution of a problem
or contradiction.

11. The Scholastic method involves
a thorough and critical reading
of a book by a renowned scholar
or author, referencing of any
other related documents and
commentaries on it, and noting
down any disagreements and
points of contention.

12. The two sides of the argument
would then be synthesized using
logical analysis.
As we can see, the
Scholastic method is very
academic and the
Scholastics were very
precise in the employment
of this method.

13. St. Anselm
of Canterbury
was considered
by many as the
founder of
Scholasticism.

14. But it was Peter Abelard,
and later on St. Thomas
Aquinas, the most famous of
all the Scholastics,
who conscientiously
applied the Scholastics
method in teaching
the Christian faith.