Saint Thomas Aquinas: Life, Philosophy, and Scholasticism
Saint Thomas Aquinas: Life and Times
Saint Thomas Aquinas was born in 1225 in the castle of Roccasecca, near Naples. He was a descendant of the Counts of Aquino and Chieti. At the time, intellectual activity was centered around monasteries, particularly in areas related to literature, science, and philosophy. Thomas was educated at a Benedictine monastery until the age of 14. These monasteries were extraordinary centers of cultural outreach, reproducing important works and creating different schools. These monastic schools, along with the cathedrals, were the origin of universities, where literary and humanistic knowledge began to be transmitted and taught. Notable examples include the universities of Paris (where Saint Thomas was declared Magister Theologiae in 1252), Oxford, Bologna, and Salamanca.
The spread of Christianity throughout Europe, favored by policies like those of Clovis and Charlemagne, contributed to this intellectual flourishing. Although Christianity supported the dissemination of culture, Aristotle’s texts were initially forbidden. Nevertheless, Thomas had access to a translation in 1269, which greatly influenced his thinking. He died in 1274, was canonized in 1323, and named Doctor of the Church in 1567.
Medieval Society and the Church
Society at that time was divided into distinct estates: nobility, bourgeoisie, and peasantry. The Church had a significant influence, and the mendicant orders (Franciscan and Dominican) emerged. Numerous cathedrals were built in the Gothic style. Apart from universities, schools of translators were instrumental in disseminating culture. The most important in Spain was the Toledo School of Translators.
During this period, the Arabs were major drivers of culture, having knowledge of almost all the Greek philosophers and revering Aristotle. Avicenna was the most representative figure of Eastern Islam, developing his philosophy from the teachings of Aristotle and the Neoplatonists. Within Hispano-Arabic philosophy, Averroes stood out, proposing a harmony between philosophy and religion. Jewish philosophers like Avicebron and Maimonides also made significant contributions. Maimonides’ work, *Guide for the Perplexed*, would later influence Thomas.
Scholasticism and Saint Thomas’s Philosophy
The fundamental philosophical method of the time was Scholasticism, of which Saint Thomas is a clear representative. Scholasticism is characterized by:
- Respect for classical tradition (Aristotle, Plato) and Christian tradition (Patristics, Saint Augustine)
- Caution regarding innovations, represented by the Inquisition
- Organic growth, building upon old and accepted ideas
- Preservation of a community united in thought
The Scholastic method involved a clear process:
- Traditional texts were studied (lectio) and deepened through dialogue.
- Disputes arose, with each participant presenting their point of view.
- Questions were raised, considering pros and cons, often resorting to the principle of authority.
- Finally, a solution was developed and demonstrated, responding to potential objections.
Scholasticism can be divided into three stages:
- The first, represented by Saint Anselm and Peter Abelard.
- The second, the peak, marked by the rediscovery of Aristotelian texts (with his ideas predominating while the influence of Saint Augustine waned), the birth of universities, and the mendicant orders. Saint Thomas is undoubtedly the most prominent author of this period.
- The third stage is not detailed in this text.
Major Works
Saint Thomas’s extensive works (117 in total) represent the best synthesis of Scholastic philosophy in the history of philosophy, although his primary goal was always theological. Some of his most outstanding works include:
- Summa Theologica
- Summa Contra Gentiles
- On Being and Essence