VORA
VORADictionaryC2Scholasticism
CEFR C2 — Proficiency

Scholasticism

Definition

(philosophical, historical) A school of thought that emerged in medieval Europe, emphasizing the use of reason, dialectic, and Aristotelian logic to understand Christian theology and the natural world. Characterized by a rigorous method of inquiry, scholasticism sought to reconcile faith and reason, and its proponents, such as Thomas Aquinas, produced influential works that shaped Western philosophy and intellectual history.

Example Sentences

1The rise of scholasticism in the 12th century marked a significant turning point in the development of Western philosophy, as thinkers began to apply Aristotelian logic to theological debates.
2Scholasticism's emphasis on reason and dialectic helped to lay the groundwork for the scientific revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries, as scholars such as Galileo and Descartes built upon the intellectual foundations established by their medieval predecessors.
3Thomas Aquinas's synthesis of Aristotelian philosophy and Christian theology remains one of the most influential achievements of scholasticism, and his works continue to be studied by philosophers and theologians around the world.
4Despite its significant contributions to Western intellectual history, scholasticism has also been criticized for its narrow focus on theological debates and its failure to engage with the broader cultural and social issues of its time.
5The legacy of scholasticism can be seen in the modern academy, where the rigorous methods of inquiry and the emphasis on critical thinking that characterized medieval scholasticism continue to shape the way we approach complex intellectual problems.

More C2 Words

🎧 Hear "Scholasticism" pronounced & master it with spaced repetition — free →
VORA · Dictionary · Pricing
© 2026 VORA — voralingo.com · English vocabulary mastery from A1 to C2