Patristic and scholasticism are two milestones of medieval philosophy

The main task of theology is the interpretation of Scripture, the proof of the existence of God and the formulation of the dogmas of the Church. At the same time, logic developed, concepts of personality and dispute about the priority of the general and the individual were developed.

In the philosophy of the Middle Ages , two main stages of its formation are identified: patristicism and scholasticism. The period of patristicism covers the 4th-VIIIth centuries, and the scholastics-the 6th-15th centuries.

What is meant by such terms as patristicism and scholasticism? What is the difference? It is rather difficult to draw a clear line between them.

Patristics is a system of philosophical and theoretical views of thinkers of religion, the "fathers" of the church. In translation from the Latin language, "pater" is "father". This is the direction of Christian philosophy, the main purpose of which is the affirmation, justification and confirmation of the power of faith. The period of patristicism is divided into two main directions: Greek and Roman. Each of them has its own features and development time.

The most characteristic for patristic is the development of the dogmatics of Christianity and philosophy, the development of which was influenced by Plato's ideas. Medieval patristics highlights such problems: the attitude of reason and faith, the essence of God, the freedom of man, etc.

In the Middle Ages, various schools and universities are beginning to be created. The latter had four faculties: philosophical, theological, medical and legal. The main role in their formation was played by representatives of theology. It was around the universities that scholasticism was concentrated.

Scholasticism is the philosophical direction of the Middle Ages, which synthesized Christian theology and the logic of Aristotle. The main task of this direction was the justification of faith through reason. In other words, rational justification of faith in God and Christian teaching.

Scholasticism was designed to teach basic dogma and the principles of Christianity. These dogmas find their origins in patristic. Patristicism and scholasticism are two teachings that supplemented and rooted each other. They were based on one meaning, principles, one symbolism. According to the philosophers, scholasticism continues in patristic. At the same time, the new direction of philosophy was associated with the Platonism and the teachings of Aristotle.

One of the central figures of scholasticism was Thomas Aquinas. He opposed the prevalent in theology positions about the opposition of nature and spirit. According to Thomas, it is necessary to study a person entirely - in the unity of body and soul.

Turning to the original sources, we can say that a person is a step in the ladder of the universe. It can not be divided into body and soul. It must be perceived as one and the creation of God. Patristicism and scholasticism equally say that a person independently chooses one or another way of life, in favor of light or darkness. A man must choose good himself, renouncing all evil and diabolical.

Philosophical views of patristicism and scholasticism are an important part of the general philosophy. These trends illuminate the ideas of Christianity in medieval Europe. This period of history is marked by the establishment of a connection between philosophy, patristicism and scholasticism.