The Scientific Revolution: The Medieval World View
The Scientific Revolution: The Medieval World View
A world-view is a composite of several interpretive models through which the individual establishes his or her identity relative to everything else in the universe. In the broadest of terms, any world-view is made up of four component elements.
In the first of these components, which can be designated the Theological element, man tries to define himself in relation to the transcendent. Questions are asked, such as Is there a God or gods? What is the nature of God? How am I to relate to that which is absolutely ultimate? In general, a person's transcendent presuppositions have a determinative impact upon all other aspects of their world-view.
The second component is Psychological in nature, and asks such questions as Who am I, and what is my significance in the greater scheme of things. Does my individuality have meaning?
Third would be the Sociological aspect. How is man to live with his fellows? How should human society be organized?
Fourth, What is the nature of the universe? How did it begin and how will it end? What is the nature of my relationship with the material world? In the broadest sense, this may be designated the Cosmological aspect of a world view.
A significant change took place in the European approach to truth and authority in the early years of the thirteenth century. This, in turn, led to a radical transformation in the then-prevalent world-view.
The Avignon Crisis, and conflicts between the Church and various monarchs, encouraged members of the clergy to study the history of the Church in order to establish the authority of the Pope on a firm foundation. This led to a recovery of Roman Law and a renewed interest in the ancient Greek and Roman authors.
While this was going on, the Muslims in Spain had transformed the city of Cordova into the intellectual capital of the Islamic world. Contact with these scholars revived the influence of Aristotle, and generated a great deal of controversy within the Church over the nature of truth itself. On the one hand, Aristotle had taught that...