Flourishing Creativity & Literacy - An Introduction to the Medieval English - The Historical and Literary Context, Traces of Church and Philosophical Movements in the Literature

Oct 15, 2026

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The transition from Greek to medieval philosophy shaped discussions on religion, nature, metaphysics, the human being, and society, forming a difficult but influential shift in English literature. Medieval writings reflected religious beliefs and the tension between medieval philosophical thought rooted in Christianity and the Greek legacy. Modern philosophical ideologies continue this trajectory, making medieval philosophical issues essential to understand later developments, including church-related traditions and reform movements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time14 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Medieval English

Medieval Philosophy in Church Context

Advances in Language and Literary Studies ISSN: 2203-4714 Vol. 8 No. 1; February 2017 Australian International Academic Centre, Australia | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | Flourishing Creativity & Literacy | | | An Introduction to the Medieval English: The Historical and Literary Context, Traces of Church and Philosophical Movements in the Literature Esmail Zare Behtash English Language Department, Faculty of Management and Humanities, Chabahar Maritime University, Chabahar, Iran [E-mail: behtash@cmu.ac.ir](E-mail: behtash@cmu.ac.ir) Seyyed Morteza Hashemi Toroujeni (Correspondence author) English Languages Department, Faculty of Management and Humanities, Chabahar Maritime University, Chabahar, Iran [E-mail: Hashemi.seyyedmorteza@gmail.com](E-mail: Hashemi.seyyedmorteza@gmail.com) Farzane Safarzade Samani English Language Department, Faculty of Management and Humanities, Chabahar Maritime University, Chabahar, Iran [E-mail: F_samani787@yahoo.com](E-mail: F_samani787@yahoo.com) Doi:10 .7575/aiac.alls.v. 8n. 1p.143 URL: [http://dx.doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.8n.1p.143](http://dx.doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.8n.1p.143) Received: 19/10/2016 Accepted: 23/01/2017 Abstract The Transition from Greek to medieval philosophy that speculated on religion, nature, metaphysics, human being and society was rather a rough transition in the history of English literature. Although the literature content of this age reflected more religious beliefs, the love and hate relationship of medieval philosophy that was mostly based on the Christianity with Greek civilization was exhibited clearly. The modern philosophical ideologies are the continuation of this period’s ideologies. Without a well understanding of the philosophical issues related to this age, it is not possible to understand the modern ones well. The catholic tradition as well as the religious reform against church called Protestantism was organized in this age. In Medieval Period, philosophy and theoretical thoughts related to the Christianity were well-organized and the philosophy, science and theoretical thoughts served religion. Philosophy had different forms and orientations in various stages of this period. One of these philosophical thoughts was the Augustinian philosophy which was strongly in favor of church with its different practices and styles. It used Platonic and Neo-Platonic traditions to prove that faith is the result of divine dispensations, not the result of human will power and wisdom. On the other hand, according to Aquinas, we experience different types of the effects that existed in the world around us. He believed that we assign an effective cause to each effect we experienced around us. Additionally, he claimed that reasoning was the only way to reach the real faith. In fact, philosophy of Medieval Period attempted to prove that religious assertions and ideologists were in search of matching their philosophical beliefs with the beliefs of Christianity. Christianity as the dominant factor in Middle English Literature helped English to be stablished as a literary language. Keywords: Medieval English Literature; Medieval Philosophy; Augustinian Theology; Aquinas theology 1. Medieval English The Middle Age is a thousand-year period in the European history. Scholars mention the beginning and the end of this period as 5th and late of the 15th centuries AD, respectively. The end of this period is coincident with the renaissance age. Since this period is between two Greek-Roman and Modern periods, it is called Middle Age by historians (Baugh & Cable, 2002) . In order to reflect the effect of Greek philosophers’performance on the philosophers of the Middle Age, some historians draw back the beginning of the Age to the first or 2nd centuries. Furthermore, some others believe that the beginning of the Middle Age and Christianity are contemporaneous, and because of this coincidence, the thought and reason of this period i

FAQs

What does the abstract say about the transition to medieval philosophy in English literary history?

It describes the transition from Greek to medieval philosophy as rough, yet foundational for how religion, nature, metaphysics, and society were discussed in English literature.

How does the document connect medieval philosophy with Christianity?

It states that medieval philosophy was largely organized around Christianity, with philosophy and theoretical thought serving religious assertions and doctrines.

Which medieval thinkers are highlighted regarding faith and reasoning?

The text emphasizes Augustinian thought, linking faith to divine dispensation, and Aquinas, who discusses causes in the world and argues that reasoning is the path to real faith.

Oct 15, 2026

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