neo-scholasticism
LowAcademic, Formal
Definition
Meaning
A philosophical and theological movement in the 19th and 20th centuries that revived and modernised the scholasticism of the Middle Ages, particularly the thought of Thomas Aquinas.
A system of thought emphasising rational analysis, metaphysical realism, and the integration of faith and reason, applied to contemporary philosophical and theological problems.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a specific historical revival movement, not just any new interest in scholastic ideas. Can be used pejoratively by critics to imply rigid orthodoxy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or semantic differences. Spelling may occasionally vary (neo-scholasticism vs. neoscholasticism without hyphen).
Connotations
In both varieties, carries strong connotations of Catholic intellectual history and academic philosophy/theology.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse. Slightly higher frequency in academic institutions with a Catholic or Thomist tradition, which exist in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The (adj) revival known as Neo-ScholasticismNeo-scholasticism, which (verb)...Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Academic
The professor's thesis focused on the impact of Neo-Scholasticism on early 20th-century Catholic education.
Technical
Neo-scholasticism's hylomorphic theory was a point of contention with emergent scientific materialism.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The neo-scholastic approach differed markedly from contemporary phenomenology.
American English
- His neo-Scholastic arguments were central to the debate.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Neo-scholasticism is a complex topic in philosophy.
- The university was a major centre for Neo-Scholasticism in the mid-20th century.
- While initially dominant, Neo-Scholasticism's influence waned after the Second Vatican Council as theological pluralism increased.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think NEW (neo) + OLD SCHOOL (scholasticism): It's a new movement going back to old, school-based medieval philosophy.
Conceptual Metaphor
PHILOSOPHY IS A BUILDING (Neo-scholasticism sought to rebuild the medieval edifice of thought with modern materials.)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating as 'новый схоластицизм' without context, as it may be misinterpreted as 'new pedantry' rather than a named philosophical movement.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing it with general scholasticism. 'Neo-' is essential to specify the modern revival.
- Using it as a general synonym for 'traditional' or 'dogmatic'.
Practice
Quiz
Neo-scholasticism is primarily associated with the revival of whose work?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a subset or a specific modern phase of Thomism, often emphasising a systematic, textbook-based approach to Aquinas's thought.
Predominantly, yes. It emerged and was most influential within Catholic intellectual circles, though its philosophical arguments engaged with wider secular thought.
Its peak influence was from the late 19th century until roughly the 1960s, particularly following Pope Leo XIII's 1879 encyclical 'Aeterni Patris'.
Yes, though its 'manualist' form declined. A more historically nuanced engagement with Aquinas, often called 'Analytic Thomism', continues in some philosophy departments.