PHILO 1 LE 1: History of Philosophy (Part 2)

Medieval Period

This period equated with theology due to the rise of dominance of Christian beliefs. An attempt to use reason in the service of understanding faith, God, and the proper way of life.

Key figures during the Medieval Period

St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Thomas Aquinas

Manichean

Way of thinking that divides everything strictly into opposing force of good and evil, light or dark. St. Augustine of Hippo was a Manichean before converting to Christianity,

City of God

By St. Augustine: The city that flourishes because of the love for God. This is humanity’s ultimate desire.

City of the World

By St. Augustine: The evil side of temptation and greed. This world prioritizes wealth, power, and material goods that are all subject to loss.

St. Thomas Aquinas

Emphasized that no event will exist without a cause.

Argument from Motion

Also called First Mover: there must a first unmoved mover that will put everything else into motion.

Argument from Efficient Cause

Also called First Cause: there must be a first cause that is uncause by anything else.

Argument from Contingency and Necessity

There must be a necessary being that brings everything else into existence.

Argument from Degrees of Perfection

There must be something that is the source of all goodness, standard of perfection, and is a perfect being.

Argument from Design

There is an intelligent designer who gives a purposeful design to everything and directs it.