Peter Abelard Research Paper

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Peter Abelard (1072- 1142)
• Peter Abelard was a brilliant French lecturer, debater, theologian and philosopher. In a way he introduced works of Aristotle to the western Philosophy.

• Albert introduced a Dialectic Method of study in his book Sic et Non.

o He collected a list of 158 controversial theological questions and listed the arguments and counterarguments for the issues.

Realism versus Nominalism
• Universals: refer to the question of whether properties exist? Properties are qualities that two or more objects/individuals have in common. o For example: Redness, is a universal possessed by all red objects.

Realism

• Realists claim that universals are real.

Nominalism
• Nominalists refuse to accept universals and deny that they …show more content…

Albertus Magnus (1200-1280)
• He was the first western philosopher who incorporated the Aristotle’s philosophy into the Christian church. He tried to eradicate theological "errors" arisen from the Islamic and Jewish interpretation of Aristotle’s work. He demonstrated that Aristotle’s ideas were compatible with Christian theology.

• Magnus studied Aristotle’s views on
1. Sensation
2. Intelligence
3. Memory

• Magnus tried to demonstrate that rational power of humans could be used to achieve salvation.
• Magnus conducted careful observations and experiments of nature; and made substantial contributions to the field of botany.
• He was the first western scientist to categorized plants and animals in according to their characteristics and features.
His Titles
1. Doctor of the Church
2. Saint Albert the Great
3. Albert of Cologne
4. Patron Saint of Scientists
5. “Doctor Universalis” due to his comprehensive knowledge of medieval science and philosophy.

Death: November 15, 1280.

St.Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Early life
• Thomas Aquinas was born in 1225. He was the youngest son of a distinguished aristocratic family in Italy. His family wanted him to become a monk at Monte Cassino but instead he joined the Dominican order and became a …show more content…

The reconciliation of faith and reason
• Aquinas’s greatest achievement was the reconciliation of theology (faith) and philosophy (reason).

• Aquinas asserted that "both kinds of knowledge ultimately come from God” hence they were compatible. Not only were they not incompatible but they could work in collaboration.

• Thomas asserted that revelation guides reason and prevents it from making mistakes, whereas reason clarifies and demystifies faith. He believed that reason and faith cannot conflict as they lead to the ultimate reality i.e. God. They both play a vital role in perceiving and proving the existence of God.

• Thomas believed that by abiding the social laws of the state, people could earn eternal salvation in the afterlife.
Thomas identified three types of laws:
1. Natural
2. Positive
3. Eternal
Natural law encourages man to act in accordance with accomplishing his goals and directs his sense of right and wrong.
Positive law is the law of the state, and it is the manifestation of natural law.
Eternal law depends on reason; based on free will; it works towards the attainment of man's spiritual

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