scholasticism
/skəˈlæstəˌsɪzəm/
noun
- A method of learning and teaching used in medieval European universities that emphasized logical argument and the works of ancient philosophers, especially Aristotle.
- Scholasticism was the dominant way of thinking in European universities during the Middle Ages.
- Thomas Aquinas is one of the most famous figures associated with scholasticism.
- The rise of science in the Renaissance challenged the methods of scholasticism.
- A narrow or overly formal way of thinking that focuses on minor details and strict rules rather than practical matters.
- His writing is full of scholasticism, making it hard to see the big picture.
- The debate turned into scholasticism, with everyone arguing about definitions instead of solving the problem.
- Some critics say the committee's approach has become a kind of modern scholasticism, obsessed with procedure.