Angels in the Architecture
Session #1 - July 28, 2024
Study Guide Chapters 1-3
Link: docs.google.com/document/d/1ORm2FMz8eg2oGb7zAj-kMTEKPaEdh6Fo9KtfELGEm3M/edit
Medieval: With its roots medi-, meaning "middle", and ev-, (aevum) meaning "age/time", medieval literally means "of the Middle Ages" (c. 500-1500 A.D.)
What comes to mind when you hear the term "medieval"?
Key figures:
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274): A medieval philosopher and theologian who integrated Aristotelial philosophy with Christian theology.
Dante Alighieri (1265-1321): An Italian poet famous for "The Divine Comedy," which reflects medieval Christian values and worldview.
Key Themes
Community and Social Structure
Medievalism: Emphasizes the strong sense of community, clear social hierarchies, and communal responsibilities. Society was often seen as an organic whole where each member had a defined role contributing to the common good.
Modernity: Criticized for fostering individualism and weakening social bonds. The focus on personal autonomy can lead to social fragmentation and a loss of communal values.
Spirituality and Religion
Medievalism: Valued the central role of religion in daily life. The Church provided moral guidance, social services, and a sense of purpose and meaning.
Modernity: Often viewed as promoting secularism and materialism. Critics argue that this leads to a moral vacuum, existential uncertainty, and a loss of transcendent values.
Art and Culture
Medievalism: Celebrated for its rich cultural and artistic heritage. Gothic cathedrals, illuminated manuscripts, and scholastic philosophy are seen as pinnacles of human creativity and spiritual expression.
Modernity: Criticized for valuing efficiency and profit over beauty and meaning. Modern art and culture can be perceived as superficial, fragmented, and lacking in depth.
Economics and Work
Medievalism: Agrarian economies and guild systems are seen as promoting craftsmanship, quality, and sustainable living. Work was integrated with social and spiritual life.
Modernity: Industrialization and capitalism are often criticized for exploiting workers, creating economic inequality, and prioritizing profit over human well-being.
Knowledge and Education
Medievalism: Valued holistic education that integrated faith, reason, and the liberal arts. Universities emerged as centers of learning that combined intellectual rigor with spiritual formation.
Modernity: Criticized for compartmentalizing knowledge and prioritizing technical and specialized education. This can lead to a fragmented understanding of the world and a loss of wisdom.
Reflection Questions
What are the main benefits of the communal and religious aspects of medieval society?
How do the criticisms of modernity resonate with contemporary issues like social fragmentation and environmental degradation?
Can elements of medieval thought and practice be integrated into modern life to address its shortcomings? How?
Further Reading
"The Discarded Image" by C.S. Lewis
"The Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri
"Summa Theologica" by Thomas Aquinas
"How the Irish Saved Civilization" by Thomas Cahill