Medieval Philosophy: Eras, Thinkers, and Core Concepts

The Middle Ages began in the 5th century with the fall of the Roman Empire and concluded in the 15th century with the Renaissance. In stark contrast to ancient philosophy, which primarily focused on the determination of the object, medieval philosophy centered its interest on God. Consequently, sacred truths revealed by God to humanity became the undisputed core from which all philosophical reflection had to emerge.

We can highlight three main periods:

• Patristic Philosophy: Early Christian Thought (1st-5th C.)

  This period refers to the early Christian thinkers and the Fathers of the Church who developed Patristic Philosophy. St. Augustine of Hippo represents the culmination of Patristic thought and Christian Platonism.

  St. Augustine of Hippo: Faith, Reason, and Divine Will

  St. Augustine defended that faith and reason are intimately connected and complementary, that history unfolds according to the will of God, and that social and political life should align with Church rules. Initially, Christianity adopted a stance contrary to philosophy, and vice versa. Gradually, Christianity began to incorporate philosophical ideas, leading to the emergence of Christian philosophers.

  Monasteries: Preservers of Culture and Learning

  Teaching found refuge in monasteries, as they preserved pre-Latin culture. From these monastic centers, scholasticism and universities later emerged.

• Scholasticism and Universities (Up to 13th Century)

  Scholastic philosophy derives its name from being taught in schools, which were the first cultural centers of the Middle Ages and precursors to universities.

  Key Features of Scholastic Philosophy

  Its main characteristics include: philosophy serving as a mediation for theology. Aristotle was the author of reference, and its methodology was highly accurate and precise.

  Thomas Aquinas: Faith, Reason, and God's Existence

  The most prominent author of this period is Thomas Aquinas, whose main ideas were:

  • A field of divine truths can only be accessed through faith.
  • Another field is accessible through both faith and reason.
  • God's existence could be demonstrated rationally.
  • Philosophy should be subordinated to the Church.

• Crisis of Scholasticism: Dawn of Modern Thought

  This period represented a more modern philosophical attitude and marked the beginnings of a new science. It began to accentuate the separation between faith and reason.

  William of Ockham: Empiricism and Separation of Powers

  The foremost philosopher of this era is William of Ockham. According to him:

  • Knowledge is based on human sensory experience.
  • The existence of God is not demonstrable, because the basis of knowledge is experience, and God cannot be experienced empirically.
  • The Church and the State must remain separate.