The Universities & Scholasticism in Medieval era
The twelfth century as a turning point in the history of medieval culture:
Epistemology offers extremely useful classification criteria for various historical and contemporary civilizations. The twelfth century is highly crucial because we see that a great shift had occurred at that time from the monastic and patristic culture to scholasticism. This transition has alternatively been defined as coming from a “theology of the heart” to a “theology of reason,” or from an intuitive and mystical tradition of knowledge (sapientia) to a speculative system of knowledge (scientia).
Epistemology: study of knowledge, mental structure of knowledge. Not only knowledge of god but the knowledge itself.
In Middle Ages, the knowledge of god was the highest expression of knowledge because due to their Christian society the “highest” knowledge refers to highest reality which is reality of god. Before the 12th century, the topics are examined according to the knowledge of God and after 12th century the reality examined also addressed by different methods. In that sense, the shift was from monastic culture to scholastic culture and monastic theology to scholastic theology.
Sapientia or ‘monastic theology’ (dominant in the Early Middle Ages):
A dominant theology of monasteries intended for introspection in the Early Middle Ages. This method of research and study was based only on the Bible, the Bible’s teachings, the Church Fathers’ teachings, personal prayer experiences, and a holy way of life. To have this direct interaction with God, rather than to be learned. Scholastic culture was not something that a suffering longing for a mystical, spiritual connection with god was interested in questioning.
The monastic meditatio is an integral part of the lectio because it involves dedicating oneself attentively to this practice in complete memorization. It is what essentially engraves the holy book upon the body and the soul. Spiritual sustenance is a topic occasionally used to characterize this continual mastication of the divine words. For this reason, the very evocative word “ruminatio” is occasionally used to characterize reading and meditation. When one meditates, they focus intently on the sentence being recited, considering each word to ensure that they fully understand its meaning.
Scientia or ‘scholastic theology’ (dominant from the twelfth century onwards):
Scientia was about the search of rational knowledge, establishing an inner and profound way of understanding the god, it was dominant from 12th century onwards.
Scientia: science, the system of knowledge.
In the 12th century, theology — with its concept that endures today — took the sense of imparting knowledge through logical speculation. This is where, in a sense, logic meets reality. The logical understanding is contingent only upon faith-based truths being subjected to intellectual scrutiny. By using logical thinking to analyze different kinds of arguments, one might determine the truth concealed in sacred scripture and uncover believable additions brought about by issues with diverse interpretations. The distinction can be seen in both mental processes and ways of expressing oneself. The goal of scholasticism was to achieve clarity via knowledge. Biblical imagery was used by monks to convey their ideas, giving them depth and allowing the mystery to remain unspoken.
The fundamental process of scholasticism was “disputing.” Conversations between teachers and students as well as between masters and past authorities helped to define the academic process.
The first universities in medieval Europe:
Bologna: civil and canon law
Paris: theology
Oxford: theology
Salerno: medicine
Montpellier: medicine
The medieval society: a tight network of universitates of different kind
One of the main characteristics of medieval society was its close-knit network of universities. “Corporations” might be the best translation for this Latin phrase. Brotherhoods, religious groups, fraternities, guilds, trades, communes, and universities are a few examples of medieval universities. These universities were all voluntary organizations working toward common objectives.
Universities started from private initiative, even though they flourished thanks to intuitional support of ecclesiastical authorities. Involving sometime only the students only the students only the masters and sometimes both. The association of private devoted to knowledge. Scholastic use of dialectics and revival of grammar had established a new form of pedagogy; student group forming.
University is a product of the Middle Ages.
