Why the long persistence of Aristotelian philosophy

in the medieval university system?

• An assumption that perfect knowledge existed in the past – wisdom lost and forgotten

• Belief that knowledge thus should be recovered from the past (and earlier = closer to true and perfect)

• Not expecting “progress” of “new” knowledge

• The model of scholarship led by important, powerful faculties mastering ancient texts of Theology (Scriptures) and of Law (Roman law)

•  Expertise is interpretation and knowledge of precedent

•  Emulated by other faculties – mastering Aristotle (natural philosophy) and Galen (medicine)

•  Students judged on ability to master texts and “disputation”

•  Limited availability of alternative texts and rival views

•  Intertwining of Scholastic Aristotelianism with Roman Catholicism – natural philosophy and theology united