Notes on Aristotelian Dialectic in Theological Method

THE THOMIST A SPECULATIVE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF THEOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY EDIToRs: THE DoMINICAN FATHERS oF THE PRoviNCE oF ST. JosEPH Publishers: The Thomist Press, Washington 17, D. C. VoL. XX OCTOBER, 1957 No.4 NOTES ON ARISTOTELIAN DIALECTIC IN THEOLOGICAL METHOD INTRODUCTION Ky study of the evolution of theological methods must depend upon the contributions of several sciences. Critical texts of ancient and medieval authors are needed. Historians must provide data and illumine the dynamics of each age. Phil~sophy and the exact sciences must interpret their own histories. And advances in theology itself throw fresh light on past procedures and opinions. Therefore, to study this evolution from specialized points of view is a necessary step if a more total synthesis is to be achieved. In this article we shall try to outline the history of theological method from St. Augustine to Abailard by bringing it into relation with the history of Aristotelian dialectic. Although this procedure seems a worthy one, it has been largely neglected by scholars. Two reasons for this are readily 888 884 DOM DUNSTAN HAYDEN apparent. First, serious historical study of theological methods is a relatively undeveloped field. The lack of exact texts and critical tools has hindered its expansion. Secondly, a re-evaluation of Aristotelian dialectic is underway; and until the dialectic itself is better understood, its use as illuminating some other subject matter is limited. For these and other reasons this study is very modest in intent. We propose to juxtapose some of the data and interpretations provided by historical and theological research with what appear to be the most intelligent and carefully studied views of Aristotelian dialectic. It will be readily seen that much of the material presented here is from secondary sources. Our main aim is to give a general picture of the interaction of two disciplines, as seen in the works of a few important thinkers; and to pose problems in the hope that scholarly effort may be directed to their solutions. The central problem may be stated thus: to what extent has Aristotelian dialectic entered into the methodology of theology. The primary conclusion that can be drawn from this study is that a tremendous amount of research needs to be done. Yet the article will be of some value if it accomplishes only two things: first, indicate a number of particular problems toward which research should be directed; secondly, eliminate to some extent the vagueness and ambiguity which surrounds the word " dialectic " when it is used by theologians and historians of theology. The article will be in four sections. The first will be an exposition of Aristotelian dialectic. The second will treat of St. Augustine. The third will consist of a few notes upon St. Augustine's immediate successors, the Carolingian renaissance, and the siecle de fer. The fourth will be devoted to Abailard. This last part will be the most extended, for indeed Abailard, in one sense, is the subject of the article. As a major influence on theology and as the ·most famous of the ,dialecticians of the twelfth century, he is most deserving of study and provides some of the most difficult problems. ARISTOTELIAN IJIALECTIC 385 I Dialectic for Aristotle is both a particular science having its proper subject matter, and a method.1 As a particular science, it studies syllogisms whose premises are based on opinion and whose middle term is a sign rather than a cause.2 Thus it can be considered as a branch of formal logic, and does not concern us here. Dialectic as method, however, was of great importance in Aristotle's philosophy. A brief description of this method and of its context will be given. The latter is essential to our purpose, for the dialectic of the Middle Ages was never coterminous with Aristotle's. In general it included part of Aristotelian dialectic and parts of other methods and sciences. Dialectic is discussed by Aristotle primarily in the Organon. Now the six books of the Organon can be considered as in three groups. The Categories and the On Interpretation treat of the types of concepts (defined in terms of grammatical function a sentence), the elements of propositions, the problems of quantification...