Medieval Biology

Question 1

St. Augustine

Answer 1

Believed that The Creator infused filth and carrion with the power to generate insects, worms, and small creatures; the rise of insects from dead material

Question 2

What was science like during the beginning of the medieval period (Early13th century)? What was it like by the end of the 13th century?

Answer 2

Beginning: Observation of nature was neglected because the world wasn’t worth knowing much about.

• Detailed research lacking
• The only medicine was the use of herbals
• Most universities were under the authority of the church

End: Greek philosophy/science was available to the west

• Latin translations from Arabic
• Invention of the printing press

Question 3

Scholasticism

Answer 3

Christian philosophy of the late Middle Ages that tried to reconcile ancient teachings (such as Aristotle’s philosophies) with teachings of the church

Question 4

Universities during the medieval period

Answer 4

• Bologna (Italy)
• Paris
• Oxford
• Montpellier (France)

Bologna and Montpellier are the main centres of progress in medicine; formed the link between

Question 5

What were the two religious orders and who belonged to which?

Answer 5

1. Dominicans (black friars)
   - Albertus Magnus
   - St. Thomas Aquinas
2. Franciscans (grey friars)
   - Roger Bacon

Question 6

Albertus Magnus (Albert the Great)

Answer 6

A professor at the Universitie de Paris and the founder of Christian Aristotelianism.

• Great reviver of Natural History of Aristotle (studied plants and animals)

Question 7

St. Thomas Aquinas

Answer 7

• Thomism philosophy: seeking truth through reason, theology through revelation from God
• Attempted to show that Aristotle’s ideas were compatible with doctrines from the Church (religion & science are compatible)
• Presented his philosophical proofs of God’s existence

Question 8

Roger Bacon

Answer 8

• Emphasized the importance of the accumulation of scientific knowledge and encouraged experimentation. Science was considered important for religion.
• Taught Aristotle’s Natural History in Paris; also taught at Oxford

Question 9

How did science progress into the early 14th century?

Answer 9

Bologna and Montpellier became main centres of progress in medicine. Human dissections began at the Bologna university.

• The use of chemical drugs became popular for medicine