Medieval philosophy

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History of western philosophy
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Pre-Socratic philosophy
Ancient philosophy
Medieval philosophy
Renaissance philosophy
17th-century philosophy
18th-century philosophy
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20th-century philosophy
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See also:
Eastern philosophy
Jewish philosophy
Christian philosophy
Islamic philosophy

Image:Septem-artes-liberales Herrad-von-Landsberg Hortus-delicarium 1180.jpg Medieval philosophy is the philosophy of Western Europe in the era now known as medieval or the Middle Ages, the period roughly extending from the fall of the Roman Empire to the Renaissance. Though medieval philosophy is widely varied, one defining feature which distinguishes this period, in the western world, is the degree to which competing or contradictory philosophical views and systems were brought into dialogue with each other.

From the Neoplatonic (Johannes Scotus Eriugena, Saint Anselm) figures who dominated the early middle ages, to the Peripatetic debates of the 12th and 13th century, to the Nominalist and Voluntarist conflicts of the 14th and 15th, it is hard to find a similar period in the history of recorded thought so populated with figures who believed their ideas could be reconciled, given enough debate and inquiry. In fact, this belief is the very essence of the philosophical mode of inquiry most closely associated with the medieval period, scholastic philosophy.

1 Trends and Concepts in Medieval Philosophy
2 List of philosophers
3 External links
4 Further reading

Trends and Concepts in Medieval Philosophy

In the beginning of early rationalism, the concept of Plato, with his emphasis on spirituality, a pecessimistic outlook of the world, and even the concept of the trinity, influenced Augustine and other early neoplatonist figures. It is important that we not exaggerate either the ignorance of medieval philosophy or its sophistication. Many medieval thinkers greatly influenced future philosophers and rationalists who attempted to prove God's existence. Nevertheless, faith still overpowered reason in signifigance, and even Anselm and others emphasised faith must comed prior to logical explainations. Theology was the only field of study in the Middle Ages. However, with the contribution of Beothius, the first Scholastic philosophers, key Aristole works and ideas survived though most translations were complied later in Moorish Spain. Within Medival philosophy, the question of whether God could be comprehended by the human mind, was a key discussion and is still a large contrast between Orthodox and Catholic theology. St. Anselm produced ideas with a significant amount of influence by Aristotle and stated all things that exist can be comprehended. A recommended book discussing Scholasticism and the discover Aristole's ideas is Aristole's Children