Neo-scholasticism: Difference between revisions

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Neo-scholasticism is a revival and development of scholasticism, the medieval school of philosophy that employed a critical method of philosophical analysis predicated upon a Latin Catholic theistic curriculum. It was prominent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly within the Catholic Church.

Historical Background[edit]

Neo-scholasticism emerged as a response to the challenges posed by modern philosophical movements such as rationalism, empiricism, and positivism. It sought to reaffirm the relevance of scholastic thought, particularly the works of Thomas Aquinas, in addressing contemporary philosophical and theological issues.

19th Century Revival[edit]

The revival of scholasticism began in the early 19th century, largely as a reaction against the perceived excesses of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. The movement gained momentum with the publication of Pope Leo XIII's encyclical Aeterni Patris in 1879, which called for a return to the teachings of Aquinas as a foundation for Catholic education and philosophy.

Philosophical Tenets[edit]

Neo-scholasticism is characterized by its adherence to the principles of Aristotelian logic and metaphysics, as interpreted by Aquinas. It emphasizes the compatibility of faith and reason, the existence of objective truth, and the importance of metaphysical inquiry.

Key Concepts[edit]

Essence and existence: Neo-scholastics maintain a distinction between the essence of a thing (what it is) and its existence (that it is), a central tenet of Thomistic metaphysics.
Analogy of being: This concept refers to the way in which different beings can be said to exist in relation to God, who is the ultimate source of all being.
Natural law: Neo-scholasticism upholds the idea that moral principles are grounded in the nature of human beings and can be discerned through reason.

Influence and Legacy[edit]

Neo-scholasticism had a significant impact on Catholic education, particularly in seminaries and universities. It provided a framework for engaging with modern philosophical and scientific developments while maintaining a commitment to traditional Catholic doctrine.

Criticism and Decline[edit]

Despite its initial success, neo-scholasticism faced criticism for its perceived rigidity and lack of engagement with contemporary philosophical trends. By the mid-20th century, it began to decline in influence, giving way to new movements such as existentialism and phenomenology.

Related pages[edit]

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-'''Neo-scholasticism''' is a philosophical and theological school of thought that arose in the mid-19th century. It sought to revive the thought of medieval scholasticism, particularly the thought of Thomas Aquinas, in response to modern philosophy. Neo-scholasticism was the dominant philosophical and theological school in Roman Catholic seminaries and faculties until the mid-20th century.
+{{DISPLAYTITLE:Neo-scholasticism}}
-== History ==
+[[File:Gentile_da_Fabriano_052.jpg|thumb|right|A depiction of scholastic teaching methods.]]
-Neo-scholasticism emerged in the mid-19th century, particularly in Italy, Spain, and Belgium, as part of a broader revival of interest in medieval culture and thought. It was closely associated with the [[Roman Catholic Church]], and was endorsed by several popes, including Leo XIII, who in his 1879 encyclical [[Aeterni Patris]] called for a revival of the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas.
+'''Neo-scholasticism''' is a revival and development of [[scholasticism]], the medieval school of philosophy that employed a critical method of philosophical analysis predicated upon a Latin [[Catholic]] theistic curriculum. It was prominent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly within the [[Catholic Church]].
-== Philosophy ==
+==Historical Background==
+Neo-scholasticism emerged as a response to the challenges posed by modern philosophical movements such as [[rationalism]], [[empiricism]], and [[positivism]]. It sought to reaffirm the relevance of scholastic thought, particularly the works of [[Thomas Aquinas]], in addressing contemporary philosophical and theological issues.
-Neo-scholasticism sought to revive the philosophical and theological system of Thomas Aquinas, which was based on [[Aristotelianism]]. Neo-scholastics argued that this system provided a comprehensive, rational account of the world and human life, and was compatible with Christian faith. They rejected modern philosophical systems, such as [[Kantianism]] and [[Hegelianism]], which they saw as leading to skepticism and atheism.
+===19th Century Revival===
+The revival of scholasticism began in the early 19th century, largely as a reaction against the perceived excesses of the [[Enlightenment]] and the [[French Revolution]]. The movement gained momentum with the publication of [[Pope Leo XIII]]'s encyclical ''[[Aeterni Patris]]'' in 1879, which called for a return to the teachings of Aquinas as a foundation for Catholic education and philosophy.
-== Influence ==
+==Philosophical Tenets==
+Neo-scholasticism is characterized by its adherence to the principles of [[Aristotelian]] logic and [[metaphysics]], as interpreted by Aquinas. It emphasizes the compatibility of faith and reason, the existence of objective truth, and the importance of metaphysical inquiry.
-Neo-scholasticism had a significant influence on Roman Catholic thought and education in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was the dominant philosophical and theological school in Roman Catholic seminaries and faculties, and its influence can be seen in the work of many Roman Catholic theologians and philosophers of the period.
+===Key Concepts===
+* '''[[Essence and existence]]''': Neo-scholastics maintain a distinction between the essence of a thing (what it is) and its existence (that it is), a central tenet of Thomistic metaphysics.
+* '''[[Analogy of being]]''': This concept refers to the way in which different beings can be said to exist in relation to God, who is the ultimate source of all being.
+* '''[[Natural law]]''': Neo-scholasticism upholds the idea that moral principles are grounded in the nature of human beings and can be discerned through reason.
-== Criticism ==
+==Influence and Legacy==
+Neo-scholasticism had a significant impact on Catholic education, particularly in seminaries and universities. It provided a framework for engaging with modern philosophical and scientific developments while maintaining a commitment to traditional Catholic doctrine.
-Neo-scholasticism has been criticized for its perceived rigidity and lack of engagement with modern thought. Some critics argue that it represents a retreat into the past, rather than a constructive engagement with the challenges of the modern world.
+===Criticism and Decline===
+Despite its initial success, neo-scholasticism faced criticism for its perceived rigidity and lack of engagement with contemporary philosophical trends. By the mid-20th century, it began to decline in influence, giving way to new movements such as [[existentialism]] and [[phenomenology]].
-== See also ==
+==Related pages==
 * [[Scholasticism]]
-* [[Thomism]]
+* [[Thomas Aquinas]]
-* [[Modernism (Roman Catholicism)]]
+* [[Aeterni Patris]]
+* [[Catholic Church]]
+* [[Metaphysics]]
 [[Category:Philosophical movements]]
-[[Category:Roman Catholic theology]]
+[[Category:Catholic theology and doctrine]]
-[[Category:19th-century philosophy]]
-[[Category:20th-century philosophy]]
-{{philosophy-stub}}
-{{catholic-stub}}