Can anyone suggest a way for me to become familiar with some of the arguments of scholasticism without reading Summa Theologica? Is there a readable guide?
-Ben
This is one for Maeglin, if you can find a way to flag him down. The only thing I’ve read is Erwin Panofsky on Gothic architecture and scholasticism (a classic) which introduces one to the concepts, at least.
Panofsky’s Gothic Architecture and Scholasticism is a marvelous, brilliant book. But I would not suggest it as a primer: unless the reader understands at least the basics of scholastic logic and some medieval architectural jargon, it will be a tough read.
Here’s what I would suggest: begin with something of a literary history of scholasticism rather than attacking the arguments themselves. Without the appropriate contextual knowledge, the institution of schlasticism seems rather shallow and silly. So please give it its fair due. Start with:
John Baldwin, The Scholastic Culture of the Middle Ages.
Charles Homer Haskins, The Renaissance of the Twelfth Century.
Even the Cambridge History of Later Medieval Philosophy: From the Rediscovery of Aristotle to the Disintegration of Scholasticism,, ed. Norman Kretzmann, is a valuable read.
Proceed on to Etienne Gilson, definitely one of the primo medieval intellectual historians of the 20th century. Read The Spirit of Medieval Philosophy.
If you are really feeling your oats, read one of the most important series of articles on Scholasticism ever written: M.D. Chenu, Nature, Man, and Society in the Twelfth Century: Essays on New Theological Perspectives in the Latin West.
Finally, if you are in the mood for something rather theological, check out Jaroslav Pelikan’s most excellent book, The Growth of Medieval Theology (600-1300), and Christianity and Classical Culture: the Metamorphosis of Natural Theology in the Christian Encounter with Hellenism.
For a blow-by-blow analysis of some of the most influential medieval thinkers, read F.S.J Copleston, A History of Medieval Philosophy. Though it’s an excellent read, it’s drier than a skin drum.
I hope this helps.
MR
Fortune plango vulnera
Thanks, this is helpful. Nonetheless, I still have a certain curiosity about what the actual arguments were, regardless of context. How many angels can dance on the head of a pin, and why?
-Ben
Ben:
Our own scholastic, The Cecil Himself, did an article on your question here:
Did medieval scholars argue over how many angels could dance on the head of a pin?
There is a followup on that topic here:
Do fish fart? Plus: angels dancing on the head of a pin (cont.)