Thomas Aquinas: The Conflict, The Harmony and The Saint

Thomas Aquinas: The Conflict, the Harmony and the Saint

During the High Middle Ages, Western Europe underwent rigorous reform. Through the rapidly increasing population and production of intellectual, artistic and spiritual works, thirteenth century philosophers, theologians and Christian thinkers were faced with a quandary. The central question was directed at "the attitude being taken toward Aristotle...by theologians committed to a Christian view of the nature of God, man, and the universe" ("St. Thomas Aquinas"). A clash of science and religion arose and peaked during Western Europe during the majority of the thirteenth century. The collision can be split into separate feuds, Christianity versus the writings of the philosopher Aristotle, faith versus reason, and theology versus philosophy. Christian belief relied on theology and faith without interference from reason, whereas the writings of Aristotle held reason and philosophy above all faith and theology. The constant feud between the two perspectives led to Western European corruption, most profoundly in the Catholic Church. St. Thomas Aquinas, a man who was capable of appeasing the turmoil, reformed thirteenth century Christianity by fusing theology and philosophy. Born near Aquino Italy in 1227, Aquinas began his education in a monastery at the age of five, thus beginning his career involving religious affairs. In around 1243, Aquinas single handedly decided to join the Dominican Order, a Roman Catholic order of mendicant preachers ("Thomas Aquinas"). However, his family severely opposed his decision, enough for them to "besiege... [him] with prayers, threats, and even sensual temptation to make him relinquish his purpose" ("Thomas Aquinas"). Thomas opposed his family's strict requests and went to study under Albertus Magnus, resulting in him settling in Paris where he began his teaching career.