Scholasticism

Scholasticism is the term given to the Monastic’s Schools called “Schole” during the 11th-13th centuries. In other words, the Scholasticism gets its name from the medieval Monastery. Since it originated in the schools (Schole) the movements were known as Scholasticism. The Greek word “Schole” signifies a place where learning takes place. “Scholastic” was the term applied to the teachers/Scholars of medieval periods who used philosophy in the study of religion, this scholastic tries to defend the doctrines of the church through reason. The definition of scholasticism is that sought to defend a faith through a rationalistic point of view in 11th-13th centuries. There were three forms of scholasticism:

Extremist (Realist): They followed platonic philosophy they taught that, “Universal ideas exist apart from individual objects”. Here the realist explained the relations of faith (Christian faith) and reason. For e.g., Anselm was a prominent extreme realist. Anselm said; “I believed in order that I may know”.

Moderate Realist: They followed Aristotle philosophy. They taught that the Universal ideas “Truth and Goodness” exist in connection with individual objects. For e.g., Thomas Aquinas and Abelard were the representatives of this view. They taught that; “I know in order that I may believe”. Just an opposite of what Anselm taught.

Nominalist: They followed the stoic philosophy. They taught ideas have no existence outside the mind; the only existence for them was the individual of the church. They have the ideas only abstract means No other existence than in thought. Ockham was the representation of this view. Nominalist (believed) held that “I believe separated from I know” i.e., the Nominalist denied anything outside of human experience. So, there was a quarrel between the realist (extreme/moderate) and Nominalist and continued throughout the scholastic period.