Transcript Document 7165372

Nov. 8: The Rise of
the Medieval
University
Background to Universities
• 9th-13th centuries: population explosion
• Primogeniture
• Earlier schools – monastery schools,
cathedral schools, private tutors/schools
“I will not speak of those logicians before whose eves
flitted constantly ‘the lice of Egypt,’ that is to say, all
the sophistical subtleties, so that no one could
comprehend their eloquent discourses in which, as
says Isaiah, ‘there is no wisdom.’ As to the doctors of
theology, ‘seated, in Moses' seat,’ they were swollen
with learning, but their charity was not edifying.
Teaching and not practicing, they have ‘become as
sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal,’ or like a canal of
stone, always dry, which ought to carry water to ‘the
bed of spices.’ They not only hated one another, but by
their flatteries they enticed away the students of
others; each one seeking his own glory, but caring not
a whit about the welfare of souls.”
- Jacques de Vitry, 13th century
Peter Abelard (1079-1142)
“Thus it came about
that my teaching won
such strength and
authority that even
those who before had
clung most
vehemently to my
former master, and
most bitterly attacked
my doctrines, now
flocked to my school.”
Birth of Universities
• Founded on guild principle
• University = group of organized workers.
Denotes totality of the group.
• Mobile – universities own no buildings and
are not tied to locations.
Paris
• University of Masters
• Charter granted 1200,
organized 1150-70
• Known for theology
Bologna
• Officially organized in 1200; actually
organized ~1150
• Known for Law
• University of Students
– Defense against townspeople
– Defense against “their other enemies, the professors”
The Professor Must...
 Not be absent without leave
 Be able to attract more than 5 students
 Begin with the bell and end with the bell
 Not skip chapters of commentary
 Not postpone difficulties until the end of the hour
 Cover ground systematically and completely
Other Universities
• Oxford: 1220
• Salerno: 1231, known for medicine (but it
was a center for medical learning before
then)
• Size of universities: 200-800
Biggest = ~2,500.
• ~1200: universities have become
intellectual centers of Europe
Student Life
“I, a wandering scholar
lad,
Born for toil and
sadness,
Oftentimes am driven by
Poverty to madness.
These torn clothes that
cover me
Are too thin and rotten;
Oft I have to suffer cold,
By the warmth forgotten”
Bibit hera, bibit herus,
Bibit miles, bibit clerus,
Bibit ille, bibit illa,
Bibit serrus cum ancilla,
Bibit velox, bibit piger,
Bibit albus, bibit niger,
Bibit constans, bibit vagus,
Bibit rudis, bibit magus.
Curriculum
• B.A. – liberal arts + 3 philosophies. 4 yrs.
– Emphasis on grammar declines; emphasis on
logic increases
•
•
•
•
M.A. – emphasis on 3 philosophies. 2 yrs.
Medicine – 5-6 yrs.
Law – 7-8 yrs.
Theology – 8-16 yrs.
The Liberal Arts
Natural Philosophy
The Ancients in Medieval Schools
• Plato: 11th and 12th centuries. Mostly
Timaeus
• Aristotle: late 12th-13th centuries.
Especially logic, natural philosophy
- Thomas Aquinas, Albertus Magnus (Albert the
Great)
Thomas Aquinas (1224-74)
• Goal is to reconcile
philosophy and
especially Aristotle
with theology
• Philosophy =
handmaiden to
theology
Scholastic Humanism
•Scholasticism – attempt to collect and assimilate all
knowledge. Very optimistic
•Humanism – affirmation of human reason.
“Even though the natural light of the human mind is inadequate to make
known what is revealed by faith, nevertheless what is divinely taught to
us by faith cannot be contrary to what we are endowed with by nature.
One or the other would have to be false, and since we have both or
them from God, He would be the cause of our error, which is
impossible.”
- Thomas Aquinas
Disputation method – much simplified
Q: Whether the Earth is round?
Objection 1: We would fall off
Objection 2: It appears to be flat
Reply 1: Gravity
Reply 2: It’s really big.
Q Resolved: The Earth is round.
Impact on European Life
1. Recovery of lost knowledge
2. Provides educated and literate
bureaucrats for courts
3. Textual communities that are able to
discuss questions across geographical
and chronological boundaries
4. Intellectual freedom – compare to Islam