Category: Medieval Philosophy
Medieval Philosophy developed between the fall of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Renaissance. It focuses on the relationship between faith and reason, theological questions, and the interpretation of classical philosophy within religious traditions. Important figures include Augustine of Hippo, Thomas Aquinas, and William of Ockham.
The Dark Ages & Medieval Philosophy — From Rome’s Fall to Thomas Aquinas
These notes cover the 800-year period between Augustine and Thomas Aquinas: the four periods of medieval philosophy (Patristic, Dark Ages, Formative, Culmination); the fall of the Western Roman Empire and what knowledge was lost and preserved; the Church’s transformation from the episcopal to the papal system with the Petrine doctrine and the Gregory VII/Henry IV…
The Formation of Christianity — Saint Paul, Saint John, Logos, and the Movement to Institution
These notes cover the formation of Christianity: the universal gap between founder and religion (direct experience vs interpretation); Jesus perceived as spiritual vs political leader; the Romans’ decision to crucify him as a political threat; the three foundational events — crucifixion, resurrection (vs resuscitation — a critical distinction), and ascension; the early community’s formation and…
The Teachings of Jesus Explained — Intention, Compassion, Humility, and Comparison with Greek Philosophy
These notes cover Jesus’s teachings: Judaism’s action-based vs Jesus’s intention-based ethics; the urgency of judgment day as governing context for all his teachings (interim morality); the lost sheep parable; wealth and attachment vs undivided heart; the Great Commandment; the Good Samaritan (how to be a neighbour vs who is a neighbour; compassion as emotional extension…
Jesus and Jewish History Explained — Studying Religious Philosophy, Abraham to the Messianic Expectation
These notes cover three interlocking topics: how to study religious philosophy (context principle; ex nihilo vs Brahman expansion and all its implications for worship, time, and the self; holy vs divine vocabulary; soul vs atman; differences among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam on God, Jesus, original sin, and salvation); Jewish history (Yahweh — name meaning ‘I…