Thomas Aquinas and His Medieval World

Historical Framework: Thomas Aquinas's Era

Thomas Aquinas's thought belongs to the late medieval period, roughly from the 11th century until the late 15th century. Until the 11th century, Europe was considered stronger and more powerful, with periods of expansion and retreat. The expansion era of the early centuries of the Middle Ages, driven by improvements in agriculture, diet, and population increase, set the stage for this time. The forging of modern European states began.

In politics, Christianity saw two great powers: Emperor Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII. In the 13th century, Pope Innocent III established a theocracy where religious power was above political power. The papacy moved to Avignon, reducing its spiritual influence. This led to the Western Schism.

The decline of the empire and papacy led to the rise of hereditary monarchies, parliamentary assemblies, and city-states.

Sociocultural Framework: Thomas Aquinas's World

The late Middle Ages saw the resurgence of urban life and the growth of new cities, resulting in a bourgeois class engaged in trade. The textile industry increased economic activity, leading to the creation of monetary and banking systems.

Society, economy, politics, and the church operated within a feudal structure. Important positions were held by the Pope and the Emperor, followed by kings, nobles, and lords who possessed large tracts of land and were served by knights. Peasants constituted a large majority of the population and were grouped in villages.

Excluded groups included:

• Jews
• Lepers
• Sodomites
• Vagrants
• Minstrels

In 910, the monastery of Cluny was founded. With spectacular success, it became a powerful organization in Europe and championed Romanesque and Gothic art. Churches were enlarged, leading to the rise of cathedrals. Notre Dame was one of the first. Urban centers saw the establishment of councils, palaces, and auctions. Sculpture became more human and sentimental. Both literature and art flourished, particularly in France.

Philosophical Framework: Thomas Aquinas's Thought

In the late Middle Ages, the Church and Christianity permeated all thought in Europe. Monasteries and mendicant orders emerged, with poverty being one of their most important vows.

The Dominican Order was founded by Saint Dominic de Guzman. Saint Thomas Aquinas belonged to this order, which was devoted to the study of theology and preaching.

The Franciscan Order was founded by Saint Francis of Assisi and preached the love of nature and poverty. Their representatives included Saint Bonaventure and William of Ockham. These thinkers laid some foundations for the ideas of Galileo, Newton, and Descartes.

The Church responded to challenges through preaching, the Crusades, and the Inquisition.

This era saw the rise of Scholastic philosophy, which comes from the Latin 'schola,' meaning 'school.' Saint Thomas Aquinas is a key representative of Christian Scholasticism, whose work sought a balance between rational thought and Christian theology. The basic texts were the Bible and the writings of saints. This led to the creation of 'Summae,' the most famous of which was by Thomas Aquinas.