Medieval Intellectual & Religious Development

Historical-Cultural Context of Medieval Europe

The new political and social landscape of Europe, emerging from the barbarian invasions, led to an intellectual environment where concern for Greco-Roman culture and philosophy largely disappeared. Despite the great cultural eclipse that accompanied the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the spread of Christianity continued to rise progressively. Its doctrine was increasingly appreciated by policies that favored its expansion after the conversion of Clovis in France and in Visigothic Spain. The colonization efforts of monks and missionaries were very important in its gradual spread. The Eastern Roman Empire also helped spread Christianity, particularly under one of its Christian emperors, Justinian. In Byzantium, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, many controversies over Christian doctrine arose.

The Rise of Monasteries

From the fourth century onwards, many Christians separated themselves from social life; some fled persecution, others sought to distance themselves from habits they disliked, and still others aimed to lead an austere life. This movement was very numerous in several Mediterranean regions, involving *hermits* (individuals who retired from society) and *anchorites* (those living in solitude). Hermits who recognized the shortcomings of solitary life began to group together, forming organized communities of monks and thus laying the foundation for the first monasteries. A monastery was an organized community with common rules for life, holding the figure of Christ as its ideal.

Monastic Activities and Scholarship

The main activities within monasteries were literary, philosophical, and scientific pursuits. No monastery existed without a library. In the libraries of the great monasteries, numerous groups of copyists worked diligently to reproduce the most important works.

Universities and Scholasticism

Monastic and cathedral schools were the precursors to universities, which were organized centers intended for professional learning and the transfer of science and knowledge. The first universities were organized as guilds, where teachers and students associated under common standards.

Scholasticism: Method & Key Features

In medieval universities, teaching methodology was primarily theoretical, moving away from experimentation and empirical investigation. It aimed to reproduce classical knowledge. This teaching was known as Scholasticism. Its main features included:

• The mediation of philosophy by theology.
• Aristotle as the primary author of reference.
• Its specific dialectical methodology.