Medieval Learning & Art Refer to Pages
Factors for the Revival of Learning Favorable political and economic conditions Europe ’ s contact with the Byzantine and Arab civilizations (post-Crusades era) Preservation of Greek & Roman texts in Arab libraries Laws of Justinian Works of Aristotle Need for education in towns/guilds
The University Organizations of instructors Guilds: universitas Commitment to instructor
Bologna, Italy
Emphasized Law Supervised by students “ A professor might not be absent without leave, even a single day, and if he desired to leave town he had to make a deposit to ensure his return. If he failed to secure an audience of five for a regular lecture, he was fined as if absent... He was not allowed to skip a character in his commentary, or postpone a difficulty to the end of the hour, and he was obliged to cover ground systematically… (pg. 234)
Paris, France
Emphasized Liberal Arts Supervised by a guild of masters or professors
Philosophy & Theology Scholastic movement Renewed interest in theology and philosophy Relied on Faith and Reason Attempted to use logic and philosophy to explain or harmonize the church ’ s teachings with new knowledge that was being gained through the sciences
Anselm Lived from 1033 to 1109 Archbishop of Canterbury Believed faith is essential to proper understanding/proving the existence of God “ I do not try, Lord, to attain Your lofty heights, because my understanding is in no way equal to it. But I do desire to understand Your truth a little, that truth that my heart believes and loves. For I do not seek to understand so that I may believe; but I believe so that I may understand. For I believe this also, that ‘ unless I believe, I shall not understand. ’” (Pg. 235)
Peter Abelard “ By doubting we arrive at inquiry, and through inquiry we perceive the truth. ” Searched for truth through critical reasoning Sic et non (Yes and No) Focused on reason and questioning to point out contradictory views and inconsistencies regarding the Church’s articles of faith Many Church leaders saw him as a threat to faith
Thomas Aquinas Believed certain truths could be understood by man and others could only be understood by God. Summa Theologica: Because faith and reason were both given by God there was no contradiction. Tried to harmonize the Church’s teachings with Aristotle
Medieval Science Thinkers placed little emphasis on the current world Faith and reason = only sure source of knowledge Observation and experimentation (scientific method) was secondary Magic and superstition Encyclopedias Unchallenged collections of recorded knowledge
Roger Bacon Advocated observation and experimentation Recognized the dangers of adhering only to traditional views Predicted the invention of: Powered ships Powered cars Aircraft Nuclear physics
Language and Literature Latin was primary language of the learned Vernacular literature: English Beowulf French Song of Roland Spanish El Cid Troubadours
Dante Alighieri Divine Comedy Dante takes a journey through hell, purgatory, and heaven Reflected his and popular politics, social order, and religious beliefs Popularized medieval cosmology Affected today ’ s Christian cosmology
Geoffrey Chaucer English poet; The Canterbury Tales Pilgrims ’ stories journeying to shrine of Thomas a Becket Critiques Church and English culture and customs
Art and Architecture Primarily religious - Visual teaching Cathedrals: “Heaven on Earth”
Art and Architecture Romanesque Modified Roman basilicas Thick walls, stone vaults, rounded arches, heavy columns, small doors/windows Dark & gloomy Gothic High ceilings, thinner walls, larger windows/doors Light, airy, delicate, “heavenly” Stained glass windows