Apologetics is ... Apologetics and patristics

The period of medieval philosophy in Europecovers ten centuries (from V to XV). The middle ages in philosophy are divided into three consecutive stages: apologetics, patristicism, scholasticism.

The main feature of medieval philosophy wastheocentrism, and she herself was based on biblical dogma. According to many people, the era of the Middle Ages is associated with "dark time", when European science has practically stopped in its development. But was it really so? The article tells about such periods of the Middle Ages as patristic and apologetics, as well as about their most famous representatives.

Apologetics and Patristics

The philosophy of the Middle Ages is sometimes very successfulcalled "the philosophy of the text," because the philosophers of the time mainly engaged in the interpretation of religious writings. The period itself begins in the fifth century, and scientists associate its beginning with the collapse of the mighty Roman Empire. Apologetics and patristic are just the first periods in the philosophy of the Middle Ages, following one another. It is about these periods that will be discussed in this article.

Apologetics is the first course of the medievalphilosophy, arisen to protect the ideas of Christianity from the then dominant ideas of the pagan. Apologists have seen the philosophy of Christianity as the basis of philosophy.

Later there is patristicism - the teaching is socalled "Fathers of the Church", which laid out the key provisions of Christian philosophy and theology. At that time complex religious-speculative systems were developed.

What does the word "apologetics" mean

In translation from Greek, "apologia" means "protection." Apologetics is the defense of early Christianity from paganism. The most famous apologist was Justinian Martyr.

The word "apologetics" in philosophy appeared absolutelynot by chance. The fact is that the writings of the defenders of Christianity were called apologies. Later, this name was also called the entire historical period.

The main tasks of early apologists

Protecting Christian communities and upholding the right toprofessing a new religion - these are the primary tasks that the apologetics set themselves. This was expressed in the writing of works that were addressed primarily to representatives of power - the emperors and governors. In their writings, the apologists tried to convince the rulers of the loyalty of the fans of their new religion. Most of their work, they just sent to imperious men, so that they read them.

In the conditions of constant oppression, apologists areforces tried to obtain recognition of their religion. They also addressed their admirers, the early Christians. At the same time, they strongly inspired them with the idea of ​​exclusivity and selectivity and encouraged martyrdom.

The first apologists and their attitude to philosophy

How did the Christian apologetics and herrepresentatives to philosophy as such? This is also a very important issue, which is worth considering. In general, it is worth noting, the apologists treated philosophy more likely with fear and a kind of enmity. The prevailing pagan philosophy they counterposed to God's wisdom. At the same time, the apologists did not exclude the possibility that some pagans were "enlightened" precisely because of philosophy and converted to Christianity.

Many researchers believe that apologists fortheir essence and were not philosophers as such. They are rather rhetoricians. Debating with educated and savvy pagans, they raised the question of Christ in order to prove that everything good and reasonable in paganism was nothing more than the manifestation of Christ the Logos.

The works of early apologists began to appear from the second century. Among the most famous apologists are Justin Martyr, Aristide, Tatian of Assyria, Athenagoras, Quintus Tertullian and other theologians-philosophers.

Martian Aristide from Athens

The first apology, which has reached our days, is dated by scientists in 125 AD. This is the work of Marcian Aristide from Athens, which was addressed to the Roman emperor Adrian (or Antoninus Pius).

In the text of the apology, Aristide says that the worldIt sets in motion some kind of extraneous force, which is God. God himself is perfect, unattainable and immovable. At the same time Aristeid considers it wrong to read, as a real God, various deities of the Greeks, because they have human shortcomings, and therefore are imperfect. It is because of the misconceptions about God, in the opinion of the philosopher, that internecine wars and wars between people take place. Aristide assures us that only Christians have the right idea about God and calls on all nations to honor him.

Justin Martyr of Samaria

Without the teachings of Justin Martyr, it is very difficult to imagine such a period of philosophy as apologetics. This traveling philosopher-theologian, who lived in 110-167 years. He died a martyr's death in Rome.

Three works remained of him: "The First Apology," "The Second Apology," and "Dialogue with Trifon the Jew." Philosophy, according to Justin, is precisely the path that leads us to God. According to Justin himself, fateful for him was a meeting with an old man with whom he started a conversation about God and the soul. The old man told Justin that all the truths can be read in the old and new Testament. It was after this conversation, according to Justin, he became a philosopher.

Tatian Assyrian and his work

Medieval apologetics gave the world moreone prominent sage: this is Tatian Assyrian, who lived about 120-175 years of our era. He traveled a lot, and when he arrived in Rome, he became a disciple of Justin Martyr (shortly before his death).

The main work of Tatian - "Speech against the Hellenes"written in 166-171 year. In his work, the philosopher contrasts Christian philosophy with ancient philosophy, calling it "our philosophy." To his opponents Tatian is extremely contemptuous, believing that they "weave everything they want." It is for this reason, according to the sage, ancient philosophers argue very much with each other. Tatian denies that the Greeks invented philosophy, calling "our philosophy" one that is older than the letter itself. Many philosophers, according to Tatian, simply altered the writings and teachings of Moses and other wise men like him.

Quintus Septimius Florence Tertullian from Carthage

Christian apologetics is impossible without thisname. The phrase "I believe because it is absurd" ("credo quia absurdum") is a retelling of a fragment of his work. Tertullian introduced many Romanized concepts into the Catholic Church.

Tertullian severely criticizes pagan philosophy,opposing to it the concept of pure faith, without claims for intellectualism. He is known as the author of paradoxes in which faith is placed higher than the mind, and the illogicality of any fact should only strengthen the faith of man. "I believe, for it is absurd ...".

Augustine the Blessed and his teaching

The brightest representative of patristic art isAugustine the Blessed, who had a significant influence on the entire medieval philosophy. In his teaching he succeeded in successfully connecting Neoplatonism and the postulates of Christianity. On this basis, he treats evil as a lack of good.

"I believe, in order to understand," is the main mottotheory of knowledge of Augustine. Without renouncing rational knowledge, he affirms the unconditional dominance of faith. The only salvation of man, according to St. Augustine's conviction, is in belonging to the Christian church. A more perfect theologian considers the human soul, and therefore insists on paying more attention to it, while suppressing sensual pleasures and impulses.