scholasticism

[ skuh-las-tuh-siz-uhm ]

/ skəˈlæs təˌsɪz əm /

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noun

(sometimes initial capital letter) the system of theological and philosophical teaching predominant in the Middle Ages, based chiefly upon the authority of the church fathers and of Aristotle and his commentators.

narrow adherence to traditional teachings, doctrines, or methods.

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Origin of scholasticism

First recorded in 1750–60; scholastic + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM scholasticism

an·ti·scho·las·ti·cism, nounpro·scho·las·ti·cism, noun

Words nearby scholasticism

scholarship, scholar's mate, scholastic, Scholastic Aptitude Test, scholasticate, scholasticism, scholiast, scholium, Schollander, Schomburg, Schönbein

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use scholasticism in a sentence

But his most influential work was connected with the relations between Jewish philosophy and the medieval scholasticism.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 4|Various
In Scholasticism he founded a school of his own, and modified Molinism by his system of Congruism.
The Jesuits, 1534-1921|Thomas J. Campbell
And the modern world has overthrown this spirit of scholasticism.
Collected Papers on Analytical Psychology|C. G. Jung
Both of them were disgusted with Aristotle and with his formal logic, particularly with the subtleties of scholasticism.
The Positive Outcome of Philosophy|Joseph Dietzgen

He attacked scholasticism with much vigour, and censured the philosophy of Aristotle, the admired of the schoolmen.
Books Fatal to Their Authors|P. H. Ditchfield

British Dictionary definitions for scholasticism

scholasticism

/ (skəˈlæstɪˌsɪzəm) /

noun

(sometimes capital) the system of philosophy, theology, and teaching that dominated medieval western Europe and was based on the writings of the Church Fathers and (from the 12th century) Aristotle

strict adherence to traditional doctrines

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for scholasticism

scholasticism

The philosophy and theology, marked by careful argumentation, that flourished among Christian thinkers in Europe during the Middle Ages.

notes for scholasticism

Central to scholastic thought is the idea that reason and faith are compatible. Scholastic thinkers such as Thomas Aquinas tried to show that ancient philosophy, especially that of Aristotle, supported and illuminated Christian faith.