scholasticism

[ skuh-las-tuh-siz-uhm ]

noun
  1. (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.

  2. narrow adherence to traditional teachings, doctrines, or methods.

Origin of scholasticism

1
First recorded in 1750–60; scholastic + -ism

Other words from scholasticism

  • an·ti·scho·las·ti·cism, noun
  • pro·scho·las·ti·cism, noun

Words Nearby scholasticism

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How to use scholasticism in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for scholasticism

scholasticism

/ (skəˈlæstɪˌsɪzəm) /


noun
  1. (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

  2. 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.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.