MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY AND ITS IMPACT ON MODERN SCIENCE

Abstract

This article challenges the conventional narrative of medieval Europe as a period characterized by scientific stagnation, offering a nuanced exploration of the vibrant intellectual landscape that thrived during this era. Focusing on medieval natural philosophy, the research paper reveals a dynamic interplay between theology and scientific inquiry, where figures such as Thomas Aquinas and Roger Bacon engaged in rigorous debates to reconcile Aristotelian principles with Christian doctrines. This ignored relationship provided a fertile ground for scientific exploration. The study traces the evolution of philosophy's scope across ancient Greece, the medieval period, and the early modern age, highlighting shifts in focus and interpretation. It emphasized the unique contributions of medieval natural philosophy in shaping the trajectory of science development. The article contends that medieval scholars, far from being confined by religious constraints, actively nurtured the seeds of scientific inquiry. By delving into specific questions about nature and embracing empirical observations within a theological framework, they laid the groundwork for the empirical methods that define modern science. The research challenging the argument on the limitations of traditional historiography, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of science's evolution that recognizes the contributions of diverse historical periods. Finally, paper concludes by calling for a reexamination of the narrative surrounding medieval natural philosophy, portraying it not as a period of stagnation, but as a crucial and dynamic phase where the foundation of modern science were laid. Through this critical historiographical review, an impactful understanding of the complex history of science emerges, acknowledging the rich legacies that continue to influence our world