medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture

>Albertus Magnus (d. 1280) Albertus was a Dominican and one of the
>later Middle Ages' greatest theologians. He taught theology at
>Cologne and Paris (his students included Thomas Aquinas) before
>becoming bishop of Regensburg. He was especially famed for his study
>of the natural sciences, and for the introduction of Greek and Arabic
>science more generally to the medieval west. Although he is now a
>doctor of the church, oddly he wasn't canonized until 1931.
>
I believe the assertion that Albertus Magnus was famed for the introductions
of Greek and Arabic science more generally to the Medieval West is not quite
accurate, with all your due respect. I believe it is better to say that
Albertus Magnus put Western Christianity 'in touch' with the Aristotelian
tradition.

Wouldn't you also say that it is was also the work of the Catalonians from
the Monastery of Ripoll who did the first translations of Greek and Arabic
texts? All Europe looked to the Iberian Peninsula for knowledge ever since
Gerbert of Aurillac (circa 945-1003) crossed the Pyrenees to study with
Atto, bishop of Vic (Catalunya) to master the mathematical sciences (and
probably a little more since, as we know, he was later known as Pope
Sylvester II and he had a turbulent papacy, both politically and
religiously for being an astrologer). He was the Christian initiator of
fruitful intellectual contact between Islam and Christianity.

Wouldn't you say that the introduction of Greek and Arabic Science was not
specifically due to Albertus Magnus' studies but rather due to the work of
the Spanish Court in the 13th Century with the Toledo School of Translators
and King Alfonso X of Castille, also known as Alfonso X El Sabio and by his
predecessors, his father, King Fernando III the Saint of Castille, Alfonso
VII and Don Raimundo, Bishop of Toledo? (1130-50). Alfonso X was the one
who did the most work with the translators; Jews and Muslim Arabs (who were
running away from the Almohadic control of the Al-Andalus), and Christians
worked together in translating Greek scientific-philosophic texts and Arabic
scientific texts into Romance (Old Spanish) and then to Latin texts.

I would rather say that Albertus Magnus took advantage of the savvy coming
from those Iberian Peninsula translations and he put Christianity in touch
with the Aristotelian tradition 'with a little help from' the Arabs. David
Lindberg says in "The Beginnings of Western Science" (1992):

«Albert read everything he could lay his hands on: he was heavily dependent
on Avicenna; he knew the works of Plato, Euclid, Galen (to a limited
degree), Al-Kindi, Averroes, Constantine the African, and a host of other
Greek, Arabic, and Latin authors» (p.230)

But the introduction of the Greek and Arabic science to the Medieval West
itself should be attributed to the Catalonians, to King Alfonso X of
Castille and to the proximity and the contributions of the Al-Andalus.

Finally, I am still amazed how much we, those who have live or have lived
Western Civilisation, give so much credit to our Graeco-Roman contributions
to mankind, how little credit, if any credit at all we have given to the
Arabs and to Islam. Adelard of Bath, often proudly acknowledged his debt to
the Arabs - "trained"(as he says) by Arab scientists....«I was taught by my
Arab masters to be led only by reason, whereas you were taught to follow the
halter of the captured image of ancient authority [i.e., authority of the
Church]»" (Tina Stiefel, The Intellectual Revolution in Twelfth Century
Europe; St. Martin's Press, N.Y., 1989; pp.71, 80).


Regards,

Aida M. Beníez-Rexach

«Non dimitere credere pro credere, sed pro intelligere» (Ramón Llull)

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Dillon" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2003 1:01 AM
Subject: Re: [M-R] saints of the day 15. November


medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture

On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 17:59:25 -0600 Phyllis wrote:

>Today (15. November) is the feast day of:
>
>Malo (d. c. 620) Malo was a disciple of St. Brendan the Navigator,
>and according to legend was one of his companions on his famous
>voyage.

And perhaps discovered the Falkland Islands. These are (indirectly) named
after him both in French (les Malouines) and in Spanish (las Malvinas).

>Albertus Magnus (d. 1280) Albertus was a Dominican and one of the
>later Middle Ages' greatest theologians. He taught theology at
>Cologne and Paris (his students included Thomas Aquinas) before
>becoming bishop of Regensburg. He was especially famed for his study
>of the natural sciences, and for the introduction of Greek and Arabic
>science more generally to the medieval west. Although he is now a
>doctor of the church, oddly he wasn't canonized until 1931.
>

When in Cologne, pay him a visit. His sarcophagus is in the Dominican
church of St. Andreas, a very short walk from the main train station.

Portraits of Big Al and photos of his sarcophagus are here:
http://www.sankt-andreas.de/module/galleries/index.php/3/3/0

St. Andreas itself, now restored and rather antiseptic-looking within, is
itself worth a brief visit. Here's a history (auf Deutsch)and some high
points:
http://www.sankt-andreas.de/kirchenfuehrer/deutsch.php/1

Best,
John Dillon

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