chapter 3

abelard peter

One of the first Western philosopher-theologians to emphasize the works of Aristotle.

antisthenes

Founder of Cynicism

Aquinas, St. Thomas

Epitomized Scholasticism. He sought to “Christianize” the works of Aristotle and to show that both faith and reason lead to the truth of God’s existence

Augustine

After having demonstrated the validity of inner, subjective experience, said that one can know God through introspection as well as through the revealed truth of the scriptures. Augustine also wrote extensively on human free will.

Avicenna

A Muslim physician and philosopher whose translations of, and commentaries on, the works of Aristotle strongly influenced subsequent Western philosophers.

Bonaventure, St.

A contemporary of St. Thomas Aquinas who argued that Christianity should remain Augustinian and should reject any effort to assimilate Aristotelian philosophy into church dogma

Conceptualism

Abelard’s proposed solution to the realism-nominalism debate. Abelard argued that concepts do not have independent existence (realism), but that, being abstractions, they are more than mere names (nominalism).

Constantine

Roman Emperor whose Edict of Milan in 313 made Christianity a tolerated religion within the Roman Empire. Under Constantine’s leadership, widely diverse Christian writings and beliefs were formalized, thus facilitating the widespread acceptance of Christianity.

Cynicism

The belief that the best life is one lived close to nature and away from the rules and regulations of society

Diogenes

Like his mentor Antisthenes, advocated natural impulse as the proper guide for action instead of social convention.

Lombard, Peter

Insisted that God could be known through faith, reason, or the study of his work in nature

Magnus, St. Albertus

Made a comprehensive review of Aristotle’s work. Following Aristotle’s suggestion, he also made careful, direct observations of nature.

neoplatonism

Philosophy that emphasized the most mystical aspects of Plato’s philosophy. Transcendental experiences were considered the most significant type of human experience

Predestination

The belief that God has preordained, even before birth, which people will be granted salvation (the elect) and which are condemned to eternal damnation.

Scholasticism

The synthesis of Aristotelian philosophy with Christian teachings

Skepticism

The belief that all beliefs can be proved false; thus, to avoid the frustration of being wrong, it is best to believe nothing.