Of the mode and order of understanding in Summa Theologica by Thomas Aquinas: essential aspects to the master education on the medieval university

Abstract

The objective of the article is to analyze how Thomas Aquinas understands the procedures of the intellect to understand things inferior to the human soul, as well as the importance of knowing this process for the education of the master in Western medieval times. Our source is Question 85 of First Part of Summa Theologica, entitled ‘Of the mode and order of understanding’. This Question shows one of the main fundamentals of the Thomasian Philosophy of Education and can, in our opinion, teach important lessons for 21st century teachers. The method of research is Social History, whose theoretical principles can be found in the works by Bloch, Febvre, Braudel, and other historians, ‘heirs’ of Annales school.