scholasticism
Americannoun
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(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.
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narrow adherence to traditional teachings, doctrines, or methods.
noun
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(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
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strict adherence to traditional doctrines
Discover More
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.
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Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of scholasticism
First recorded in 1750–60; scholastic + -ism
Explanation
Scholasticism is a habit of sticking stubbornly to one specific method of teaching or learning. Your teacher's scholasticism might mean she teaches you math the exact same way she was taught. In medieval times, scholasticism was a popular way of teaching philosophy in universities. It focused on both philosophical reasoning, often using ancient Greek texts and Christian theology. Though scholasticism was a logical and valid method of study, it was also dogmatic, sticking to one specific set of rules and ideas, no matter what. Scholasticism derives from the Greek word skholastikos, "a scholar."
Vocabulary lists containing scholasticism
Medieval Europe - Middle School
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Chapter 19: Medieval Europe
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Medieval Europe - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Anselm is an early proponent of—and some say the founder of—the philosophical school of Scholasticism, which anticipates the writings of prominent Scholastics such as Thomas Aquinas.
From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022
Scholasticism is a spirit that takes all knowledge, whether known by faith or reason, and places it in orderly, systematic arrangement ...
From Time Magazine Archive
At Urbana Last week Labor called Scholasticism to an accounting.
From Time Magazine Archive
Scholasticism and Politics represents Maritain's recent lectures at Chicago.
From Time Magazine Archive
He returned almost immediately with the book Scholasticism and Politics, by Jacques Maritain.
From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
