The period of medieval philosophy in Europe spans ten centuries (from V to XV). It is customary to divide the era of the Middle Ages in philosophy into three successive stages: these are apologetics, patristics, scholasticism.
The main feature of medieval philosophy was theocentrism, and it itself was based on biblical dogma. According to many people, the Middle Ages is associated with the "dark time", when European science almost stopped in its development. But was it really so? The article tells about such periods of the Middle Ages as patristics and apologetics, as well as about their most famous representatives.
Apologetics and patristics
The philosophy of the Middle Ages is sometimes very successfully called the "philosophy of the text", because the philosophers of that time were mainly engaged in the interpretation of religious scriptures. The period itself begins in the 5th century, and scholars associate its beginning with the collapse of the powerful Roman Empire. Apologetics and patristics are precisely the first periods in the philosophy of the Middle Ages, following each other. These periods will be discussed in this article.
Apologetics is the first course of medieval philosophy that arose with the aim of protecting the ideas of Christianity from pagan ideas that prevailed at that time. Apologists saw the doctrine of Christianity at the core of philosophy.
Later patristicism arises - the doctrine of the so-called “Fathers of the Church”, which outlined the key provisions of Christian philosophy and theology. At this time, complex religious speculative systems were developed.
What does the word apologetics mean?
Translated from the Greek language "apologia" means "protection." Apologetics is the defense of early Christianity from paganism. The most famous apologist was Justinian Martyr.
The word "apologetics" in philosophy did not appear by chance. The fact is that the writings of the defenders of Christianity were called precisely apologies. Later this name was also called the entire historical period.
The main tasks of the early apologists
The protection of Christian communities and the assertion of the right to practice a new religion are the primary tasks that apologetics set themselves. This was expressed in the writing of works that were addressed primarily to representatives of power - emperors and governors. In their writings, apologists tried to convince the rulers of the loyalty of fans of their new religion. They directed most of their works to powerful men, so that they would read them.
In the face of constant oppression, the apologists did their best to achieve recognition of their religion. They turned to their fans, to the early Christians. At the same time, they strongly inspired them with the idea of exclusivity and selectivity and encouraged martyrdom.
The first apologists and their attitude to philosophy
How did Christian apologetics and its representatives relate to philosophy as such? This is also a very important issue, which is worth understanding. In general, it is worth noting that the apologists were more likely to regard philosophy with fear and some hostility. They opposed the prevailing pagan philosophy with God's wisdom. At the same time, apologists did not exclude the possibility that some pagans were “enlightened” precisely thanks to philosophy and converted to Christianity.
Many scholars believe that apologists were essentially not philosophers per se. Rather, they are rhetoricians. Discussing with educated and savvy pagans, they raised the question of Christ in order to prove that everything good and reasonable in paganism was nothing more than a manifestation of Christ the Logos.
The works of early apologists began to appear from the second century. Among the most famous apologists are Justin Martyr, Aristide, Tatian of Assyria, Athenagoras, Quintus Tertullian and other philosophers.
Martian Aristide from Athens
The first apology that has survived is dated by scientists 125 AD. This is the work of Martian Aristide from Athens, which was addressed to the Roman emperor Hadrian (or Antoninus Pius).
In the text of the apology, Aristide says that the world sets in motion a certain extraneous force, which is God. God Himself is perfect, inaccessible and immovable. At the same time, Aristide considers it improper to honor, as the real God, the various deities of the Hellenes, because they have human shortcomings, and therefore are imperfect. It is because of the misconceptions about God, according to the philosopher, there are civil strife and wars between people. Aristide assures that only Christians have the correct idea of God and calls for all nations to honor him.
Justin Martyr of Samaria
Without the teachings of Justin Martyr, it is very difficult to imagine such a period of philosophy as apologetics. This is a traveling philosopher-theologian who lived in 110-167. He died a martyrdom in Rome.
Three works remained from him: “The First Apology”, “The Second Apology”, as well as “Dialogue with the Tryphon-Jew”. According to Justin, philosophy is precisely the path that leads us to God. According to the stories of Justin himself, the meeting with one old man with whom he had a conversation about God and the soul became crucial for him. The old man told Justin that all truths can be read in the old and new Testament. It was after this conversation, according to Justin, that he became a philosopher.
Tatian Assyrian and his work
Medieval apologetics gave the world another outstanding sage: this is Tatian the Assyrian, who lived in about 120-175 years of our era. He traveled a lot, and when he arrived in Rome, he became a disciple of Justin Martyr (shortly before his death).
Tatian’s main work is Speech Against the Hellenes, written in 166-171. In his work, the philosopher contrasts ancient philosophy with Christian doctrine, calling it "our philosophy." Tatian is extremely contemptuous of his opponents, believing that they "weave whatever they like." It is for this reason, according to the sage, that ancient philosophers argue a lot with each other. Tatian denies that the Greeks invented philosophy, calling "our philosophy" one that is older than the letter itself. Many philosophers, according to Tatian, simply redid the writings and teachings of Moses and other sages like him.
Quint Septimius Florence Tertullian of Carthage
Christian apologetics is impossible without this name. The phrase “I Believe, for it is absurd” (“credo quia absurdum”) is a retelling of a fragment of his work. Tertullian introduced many Latinized concepts into the Catholic Church.
Tertullian severely criticizes pagan philosophy, contrasting it with the concept of pure faith, without claims to intellectualism. He is known as the author of paradoxes in which faith is put higher than reason, and the illogicality of any fact should only strengthen the faith of man. "I believe, for it is absurd ...".
St. Augustine and his teaching
The brightest representative of patristics is St. Augustine, who had a significant influence on the whole of medieval philosophy. In his teaching, he was able to successfully combine neoplatonism and the postulates of Christianity. On this basis, he interprets evil as a lack of good.
“I believe in order to understand,” is the main motto of Augustine’s theory of knowledge . Without giving up rational knowledge, he affirms the unconditional dominance of faith. The only salvation of man, according to St. Augustine, is in belonging to the Christian church. The theologian considers the soul of man to be more perfect, and therefore insists on paying more attention to it, while suppressing sensual pleasures and impulses.