Evolution of Christian Philosophy and Roman Thought

Roman Culture and the Rise of Christianity

Roman culture assimilated Greek culture, developing every edge of the Hellenistic tradition. The Romans assimilated the religions of the Greeks, Persians, and Egyptians. Christianity in Roman culture was a novelty that began with the figure of Jesus, introducing a new cosmology, theology, anthropology, and ethics.

The Patristic Period: Defending the Faith

The Patristics: These thinkers wanted to know God and defend the faith. This period lasted from the 2nd to the 8th century. There were two groups regarding philosophy: Tertullian (2nd-3rd century) viewed philosophers as "friends of the faith" making an understandable mistake. In favor of philosophy was Justin Martyr (and the school of Alexandria), who believed that Philo and faith were compatible.

Augustine of Hippo: Divine Illumination

Augustine of Hippo sought to understand fundamental truths such as goodness and justice. He initially turned to Manichaeism (founded by the Persian Mani), which focused on two forces: Good vs. Evil and Light vs. Darkness. Finding contradictions in skepticism, he converted to Christianity in 387. According to him, reason and faith, as well as philosophy and religion, can help discover divine truths. Knowledge begins in our thoughts, as we all have ideas of God. Knowing the truth requires divine illumination. He defended the concept of an immortal soul and a mortal body created by God, as well as the doctrine of original sin.

The Rise of Scholasticism

Scholasticism: In the late 10th century, as feudal Europe consolidated, Christian scholastic thought appeared in newly taught schools. They covered various topics, including universal and ontological arguments for the existence of God. Anselm of Canterbury argued that since we all possess the idea of a higher and perfect being, that being cannot exist only within our minds.

The Philosophy of Thomas Aquinas

The thought of Thomas Aquinas: Aquinas attempted to reconcile Christianity with Aristotelianism. He argued that faith and religion cannot contradict each other, as both were created by God. Faith can rationally prove the existence of God through five arguments:

• The Unmoved Mover
• The First Cause
• The Necessary Being
• The Gradation of Being
• The Intelligent Designer (Via of the Intelligent Being)

The Franciscans and William of Ockham

The Franciscans: This group defended poverty against the wealth of the Church. William of Ockham attempted to separate theology from faith and reason. He argued that theology is not a science and that religious truths have no scientific basis. He became famous for Ockham's Razor, suggesting that philosophers should not use more concepts than necessary. In his view, theology is based on dogma, while the fields of science and faith are derived from rational thought.