The main task of theology is the interpretation of Holy Scripture, the proof of the existence of God and the formulation of the dogmas of the Church. At the same time, logic developed, the concepts of personality and the dispute about the priority of the general and the individual were developed.
In the philosophy of the Middle Ages, there are two main stages of its formation - patristics and scholasticism. The patristic period covers the 4th-8th centuries, and the scholastics - the 6th-15th centuries.
What is meant by such terms as patristics and scholasticism? What is the difference? It is quite difficult to draw a clear line between them.
Patristics is a system of philosophical and theoretical views of the thinkers of religion, the "fathers" of the church. Translated from Latin, "pater" - "father". This is a direction of Christian philosophy, the main purpose of which is to affirm, substantiate and confirm the power of faith. The period of patristics is divided into two main areas: Greek and Roman. Each of them has its own traits and development time.
The most characteristic of patristics is the development of the dogma of Christianity and philosophy, the development of which was influenced by the ideas of Plato. Medieval patristics illuminates such problems: the attitudereason and faith, the essence of God, human freedom, etc.
In the Middle Ages begin to create a variety of schools and universities. The latter had four faculties: philosophical, theological, medical and legal. Representatives of theology played the main role in their formation. It was around the universities that scholasticism concentrated.
Scholasticism is a 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, a rational justification for faith in God and Christian teaching.
Scholasticism was intended to teach the basic dogmas and principles of Christianity. These dogmas find their origin in patristics. Patristics and scholasticism are two teachings that complemented and rooted each other. They were based on the same meanings, principles, the same symbolism. According to philosophers, scholasticism continues in patristics. At the same time, a new direction of philosophy was associated with Platonism and the teachings of Aristotle.
One of the central figures of scholasticism was Thomas Aquinas. He opposed the widespread in theology position on the opposition of nature and spirit. According to Foma, a person must be studied as a whole - in the unity of body and soul.
Referring to the primary sources, we can say that a person is a step in the ladder of the universe. It cannot be divided into body and soul. It must be taken as a whole andcreation of God. Patristics and scholasticism alike say that a person independently chooses one or another life path, in favor of light or darkness. A person must choose good himself, renouncing everything evil and devilish.
Philosophical views of patristics and scholastics are an important part of the general philosophy. These directions illuminate the ideas of Christianity in medieval Europe. This period of history is marked by the establishment of a link between philosophy, patristics and scholasticism.
