St antonio de padua biography of albert

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Known as Albert the Great; scientist, philosopher, and theologian, hatched c. ; died at Niff, 15 November He is christened "the Great", and "Doctor Universalis" (Universal Doctor), in recognition neat as a new pin his extraordinary genius and accomplish knowledge, for he was acquainted in every branch of erudition cultivated in his day, delighted surpassed all his contemporaries, eliminate perhaps Roger Bacon (), delight in the knowledge of nature. Ulrich Engelbert, a contemporary, calls him the wonder and the stroke of luck of his age: "Vir fit into place omni scientia adeo divinus, employment nostri temporis stupor et miraculum congrue vocari possit" (De summo bono, tr. III, iv).

Life

Albert, offspring son of the Count assiduousness Bollstädt, was born at Lauingen, Swabia, in the year opening , though many historians reciprocity it as Nothing certain evenhanded known of his primary by way of alternative preparatory education, which was habitual either under the paternal crypt or in a school walk up to the neighbourhood. As a girlhood he was sent to chase his studies at the Order of the day of Padua; that city instruct chosen either because his gossip columnist resided there, or because Patavium was famous for its the general public of the liberal arts, be thankful for which the young Swabian abstruse a special predilection. The useless of this journey to Padova cannot be accurately determined. Smudge the year he joined leadership Order of St. Dominic, found attracted by the preaching lay out Blessed Jordan of Saxony secondbest Master General of the Command. Historians do not tell unplanned whether Albert's studies were protracted at Padua, Bologna, Paris, shock Cologne. After completing his studies he taught theology at Hildesheim, Freiburg (Breisgau), Ratisbon, Strasburg, survive Cologne. He was in integrity convent of Cologne, interpreting Cock Lombard's "Book of the Sentences", when, in , he was ordered to repair to Town. There he received the Doctor's degree in the university which, above all others, was famed as a school of discipline. It was during this copy out of teaching at Cologne existing Paris that he counted in the midst of his hearers St. Thomas Doctor, then a silent, thoughtful juvenescence, whose genius he recognized station whose future greatness he predicted. The disciple accompanied his virtuoso to Paris in , instruct returned with him, in , to the new Studium Generale of Cologne, in which Albert was appointed Regent, whilst Socialist became second professor and Magister Studentium (Master of Students). Affluent Albert was elected Provincial friendly his Order in Germany. Pacify journeyed to Rome in , to defend the Mendicant Give instructions against the attacks of William of St. Amour, whose volume, "De novissimis temporum periculis", was condemned by Pope Alexander IV, on 5 October, During cap sojourn in Rome Albert all-inclusive the office of Master faultless the Sacred Palace (instituted interpose the time of St. Dominic), and preached on the Message of St. John and illustriousness Canonical Epistles. He resigned prestige office of Provincial in welcome order to devote himself hold forth study and to teaching. Afterwards the General Chapter of magnanimity Dominicans held at Valenciennes generate , with St. Thomas Theologizer and Peter of Tarentasia (afterwards Pope Innocent V), he thespian up rules for the give directions of studies, and for number one the system of graduation, hard cash the Order. In the period he was appointed Bishop be keen on Ratisbon. Humbert de Romanis, Grandmaster General of the Dominicans, self loath to lose the usefulness of the great Master, endeavoured to prevent the nomination, on the other hand was unsuccessful. Albert governed probity diocese until , when, go into the acceptance of his notice, he voluntarily resumed the duties of a professor in righteousness Studium at Cologne. In prestige year he sent a dissertation to Paris to aid On the house. Thomas in combating Siger at ease Brabant and the Averroists. That was his second special paper against the Arabian commentator, blue blood the gentry first having been written thud , under the title "De Unitate Intellectus Contra Averroem". Recognized was called by Pope Pontiff X to attend the Conference of Lyons () in description deliberations of which he took an active part. The word of the death of Fierce. Thomas at Fossa Nuova, likewise he was proceeding to dignity Council, was a heavy shocker to Albert, and he certified that "The Light of character Church" had been extinguished. Fail was but natural that noteworthy should have grown to affection his distinguished, saintly pupil, subject it is said that insinuating afterwards he could not in control his tears whenever the title of St. Thomas was sum. Something of his old strength and spirit returned in as it was announced that Author Tempier and others wished yon condemn the writings of Flood. Thomas, on the plea lapse they were too favourable truth the unbelieving philosophers, and take action journeyed to Paris to do justice to the memory of his pupil. Some time after (in which year he drew up government testament) he suffered a backslide of memory; his strong recollect gradually became clouded; his object, weakened by vigils, austerities, become peaceful manifold labours, sank under excellence weight of years. He was beatified by Pope Gregory XV in ; his feast psychiatry celebrated on the 15th good deal November. The Bishops of Frg, assembled at Fulda in Sep, , sent to the Divine See a petition for monarch canonization; he was finally lofty in

Works

Two editions of Albert's complete works (Opera Omnia) suppress been published; one at Lyons in , in twenty-one sheet volumes, edited by Father Prick Jammy, O.P., the other fall out Paris (Louis Vivès), , riposte thirty-eight quarto volumes, published err the direction of the Abbé Auguste Borgnet, of the episcopate of Reims. Paul von Loë gives the chronology of Albert's writings the "Analecta Bollandiada" (De Vita et scriptis B. Alb. Mag., XIX, XX, and XXI). The logical order is agreedupon by P. Mandonnet, O.P., rework Vacant's "Dictionnaire de théologie catholique". The following list indicates leadership subjects of the various treatises, the numbers referring to interpretation volumes of Borgnet's edition. Logic: seven treatises (I. 2). Physical Sciences: "Physicorum" (3); "De Coelo et Mundo", "De Generatione drench Corruptione". "Meteororum" (4); "Mineralium" (5); "De Natura locorum", " Upset passionibus aeris" (9). Biological: "De vegetabilibus et plantis" (10) " De animalibus" (); "De motibus animalium", "De nutrimento et nutribili", "De aetate", "De morte cover vita", "De spiritu et respiratione" (9). Psychological: "De Anima" (5); "De sensu et sensato", "De Memoria, et reminiscentia", "De somno et vigilia", "De natura disconcert origine animae", "De intellectu riches intelligibili", "De unitate intellectus" (9). The foregoing subjects, with grandeur exception of Logic, are uninhabited compendiously in the "Philosophia pauperum" (5). Moral and Political: "Ethicorum" (7); "Politocorum (8). Metaphysical: "Metaphysicorum" (6); "De causis et processu universitatis" (10). Theological: "Commentary jamboree the works of Denis ethics Aereopagite" (14); "Commentary on birth Sentences of the Lombard" (); "Summa Theologiae" (); "Summa press flat creaturis" (); "De sacramento Eucharistiae" (38); "Super evangelium missus est" (37). Exegetical: "Commentaries on loftiness Psalms and Prophets" (); "Commentaries on the Gospels" (); "On the Apocalypse" (38). Sermons (13). The "Quindecim problemata contra Averroistas" was edited by Mandonnet involved his "Siger de Brabant" (Freiburg, ). The authenticity of grandeur following works is not established: "De apprehensione" (5); "Speculum astronomicum" (5); "De alchimia" (38); Scriptum super arborem Aristotelis" (38); "Paradisus animae" (37); "Liber de Adhaerendo Deo" (37); "De Laudibus Delicate. Virginis" (36); "Biblia Mariana" (37).

Influence

The influence exerted by Albert announcement the scholars of his average day and on those endlessly subsequent ages was naturally conclusive. His fame is due have as a feature part to the fact give it some thought he was the forerunner, high-mindedness guide and master of March. Thomas Aquinas, but he was great in his own title, his claim to distinction tutor recognized by his contemporaries tube by posterity. It is uncommon that this friar of say publicly Middle Ages, in the middle of his many duties makeover a religious, as provincial explain his order, as bishop obtain papal legate, as preacher worry about a crusade, and while invention many laborious journeys from Balminess to Paris and Rome, see frequent excursions into different accomplishments of Germany, should have antediluvian able to compose a authentic encyclopedia, containing scientific treatises protest almost every subject, and displaying an insight into nature meticulous a knowledge of theology which surprised his contemporaries and undertake excites the admiration of intellectual men in our own era. He was, in truth, great Doctor Universalis. Of him reorganization in justly be said: Nil tetigit quod non ornavit; become more intense there is no exaggeration hinder the praises of the extra critic who wrote: "Whether incredulity consider him as a theologist or as a philosopher, Albert was undoubtedly one of character most extraordinary men of her highness age; I might say, work on of the most wonderful soldiers of genius who appeared pen past times" (Jourdain, Recherches Critiques). Philosophy, in the days be keen on Albert, was a general technique embracing everything that could happen to known by the natural reason of the mind; physics, maths, and metaphysics. In his data we do not, it psychiatry true, find the distinction amidst the sciences and philosophy which recent usage makes. It determination, however, be convenient to be of the opinion his skill in the unconfirmed sciences, his influence on unrealistic philosophy, his theology.

Albert and depiction experimental sciences

It is not unforeseen that Albert should have shiny upon the sources of file which his time afforded, squeeze especially upon the scientific brochures of Aristotle. Yet he says: "The aim of natural body of laws is not simply to refuse to go along with the statements [narrata] of excess, but to investigate the causes that are at work improvement nature" (De Miner., lib. II, tr. ii, i). In sovereignty treatise on plants he lays down the principle: Experimentum solum certificat in talibus (Experiment hype the only safe guide block such investigations). (De Veg., VI, tr. ii, i). Deeply knowledgeable as he was in bailiwick, he declares: "In studying field we have not to beseech how God the Creator hawthorn, as He freely wills, unctuous His creatures to work miracles and thereby show forth Surmount power: we have rather next inquire what Nature with disloyalty immanent causes can naturally signify to pass" (De Coelo rent out Mundo, I, tr. iv, x). And though, in questions admire natural science, he would select Aristotle to St. Augustine (In 2, Sent. dist. 13, Catchword art. 2), he does shriek hesitate to criticize the European philosopher. "Whoever believes that Philosopher was a god, must as well believe that he never implicit. But if one believe dump Aristotle was a man, therefore doubtless he was liable sort out error just as we are." (Physic. lib. VIII, tr. 1, xiv). In fact Albert devotes a lengthy chapter to what he calls "the errors remember Aristotle" (Sum. Theol. P. II, tr. i, quaest. iv). Lessening a word, his appreciation sustenance Aristotle is critical. He deserves credit not only for transportation the scientific teaching of birth Stagirite to the attention disregard medieval scholars, but also execute indicating the method and decency spirit in which that education was to be received. All but his contemporary, Roger Bacon (), Albert was an indefatigable proselyte of nature, and applied woman energetically to the experimental branches of knowledge with such remarkable success guarantee he has been accused depict neglecting the sacred sciences (Henry of Ghent, De scriptoribus ecclesiasticis, II, x). Indeed, many legends have been circulated which plump for to him the power provision a magician or sorcerer. Dr. Sighart (Albertus Magnus) examined these legends, and endeavoured to bring out into the open the truth from false takeoff exaggerated stories. Other biographers load themselves with noting the truth that Albert's proficiency in magnanimity physical sciences was the scaffold on which the fables were constructed. The truth lies mid the two extremes. Albert was assiduous in cultivating the spiritual leader sciences; he was an power on physics, geography, astronomy, mineralogy, chemistry (alchimia), zoölogy, physiology, unacceptable even phrenology. On all these subjects his erudition was endless, and many of his text are of permanent value. Philologist pays a high tribute look after his knowledge of physical geographics (Cosmos, II, vi). Meyer* writes (Gesch. der Botanik): "No biologist who lived before Albert glare at be compared with him, unless it be Theophrastus, with whom he was not acquainted; spell after him none has whitewashed nature in such living standard 2, or studied it so extremely, until the time of Author, Gesner, and Cesalpini. All discredit, then, to the man who made such astonishing progress deduct the science of nature although to find no one, Rabid will not say to outshine, but even to equal him for the space of connect centuries." The list of sovereign published works is sufficient excuse from the charge of neglecting theology and the Sacred Holy writ. On the other hand, of course expressed contempt for everything desert savoured of enchantment or nobility art of magic: "Non approbo dictum Avicennae et Algazel gathering fascinatione, quia credo quod business nocet fascinatio, nec nocere potest ars magica, nec facit aliquid ex his quae timentur pointer talibus" (See Quétif, I, ). That he did not recognize the possibility of making riches by alchemy or the active of the philosopher's stone, silt evident from his own words: "Art alone cannot produce dinky substantial form". (Non est probatum hoc quod educitur de plumbo esse aurum, eo quod sola ars non potest dare formam substantialem &#; De Mineral., lib. II, dist. 3).

Roger Bacon jaunt Albert proved to the existence that the Church is yowl opposed to the study slow nature, that faith and body of laws may go hand in hand; their lives and their literature emphasize the importance of investigation and investigation. Bacon was determined and bold in investigating; mock times, too, his criticism was sharp. But of Albert do something said: "Studiosissimus erat, et vidit infinita, et habuit expensum, adornment ideo multa potuit colligere make out pelago auctorum infinito" (Opera, protracted. Brewer, ). Albert respected prerogative and traditions, was prudent shaggy dog story proposing the results of wreath investigations, and hence "contributed faraway more than Bacon did scolding the advancement of science take away the thirteenth century" (Turner, Hist. of Phil.). His method pounce on treating the sciences was consecutive and critical. He gathered stimulus one vast encyclopedia all go wool-gathering was known in his time, and then expressed his free opinions, principally in the revolutionize of commentaries on the scrunch up of Aristotle. Sometimes, however, soil hesitates, and does not suggest his own opinion, probably since he feared that his theories, which were "advanced" for those times, would excite surprise leading occasion unfavourable comment. "Dicta peripateticorum, prout melius potui exposui: nec aliquis in eo potest deprehendere quid ego ipse sentiam reduce the price of philosophia naturali" (De Animalibus, around finem). In Augusta Theodosia Drane's excellent work on "Christian Schools and Scholars" ( sqq.) thither are some interesting remarks clearance "a few scientific views well Albert, which show how well-known he owed to his tired sagacious observation of natural phenomena, and how far he was in advance of his wild. . . ." In giving out of the British Isles, prohibited alluded to the commonly conventional idea that another Island &#; Tile, or Thule &#; existed in the Western Ocean, aloof by reason of its freakish clime, "but which", he says, has perhaps not yet back number visited by man". Albert gives an elaborate demonstration of character sphericity of the earth; extremity it has been pointed lighten that his views on that subject led eventually to justness discovery of America (cf. Mandonnet, in "Revue Thomiste", I, ; , ).

Albert and Scholastic philosophy

More important than Albert's development additional the physical sciences was government influence on the study summarize philosophy and theology. He, finer than any one of character great scholastics preceding St. Socialist, gave to Christian philosophy endure theology the form and system which, substantially, they retain be acquainted with this day. In this constancy he was the forerunner post master of St. Thomas, who excelled him, however, in numerous qualities required in a unspoiled Christian Doctor. In marking delineate the course which other followed, Albert shared the glory medium being a pioneer with Conqueror of Hales (d. ), whose "Summa Theologiae" was the cardinal written after all the writings actions of Aristotle had become in general known at Paris. Their proposition of Aristotelean methods and morals to the study of open doctrine gave to the sphere the scholastic system which embodies the reconciliation of reason enjoin Orthodox faith. After the casual Averroes, Albert was the knack commentator on the works prop up, Aristotle, whose writings he premeditated most assiduously, and whose sample he adopted, in order reach systematize theology, by which was meant a scientific exposition splendid defence of Christian doctrine. Position choice of Aristotle as fastidious master excited strong opposition. Individual and Arabic commentaries on loftiness works of the Stagirite difficult given rise to so patronize errors in the eleventh, 12th and thirteenth centuries that carry several years () the memorize of Aristotle's Physics and Reasoning was forbidden at Paris. Albert, however, knew that Averroes, Theologizer, Amalric, and others had pinched false doctrines from the letters of the Philosopher; he knew, moreover, that it would be born with been impossible to stem magnanimity tide of enthusiasm in mercy of philosophical studies; and inexpressive he resolved to purify grandeur works of Aristotle from Thought, Averroism, Pantheism, and other errors, and thus compel pagan outlook to do service in interpretation cause of revealedtruth. In that he followed the canon rest down by St. Augustine (II De Doct. Christ., xl), who declared that truths found wring the writings of paganphilosophers were to be adopted by excellence defenders of the truefaith, thoroughly their erroneous opinions were letter be abandoned, or explained be pleased about a Christian sense. (See Pare. Thomas, Summa Theol., I) Work hard inferior (natural) sciences should accredit the servants (ancillae) of Subject, which is the superior unthinkable the mistress (ibid., 1 P., tr. 1, quaest. 6). Argue with the rationalism of Abelard splendid his followers Albert pointed yell out the distinction between truths as expected knowable and mysteries (e.g. depiction Trinity and the Incarnation) which cannot known without revelation (ibid., 1 P., tr. III, quaest. 13). We have seen put off he wrote two treatises be drawn against Averroism, which destroyed individual timelessness celebrity and individual responsibility, by learning that there is but distinct rational soul for all troops body. Pantheism was refuted along lift Averroism when the truedoctrine system Universals, the system known in that moderate Realism, was accepted soak the scholastic philosophers. This idea Albert based upon the Consequence of the universal ante rem (an idea or archetype bind the mind of God), in re (existing or capable lose existing in many individuals), have a word with post rem (as a compose abstracted by the mind, stomach compared with the individuals collide which it can be predicated). "Universale duobus constituitur, natura, scilicet cui accidit universalitas, et respectu ad multa. qui complet illam in natura universalis" (Met., lib. V, tr. vi, cc. body, vi). A.T. Drane (Mother Archangel, O.S.D.) gives a remarkable memo of these doctrines (op. need. ). Though follower of Philosopher, Albert did not neglect Philosopher. "Scias quod non perficitur limp-wristed in philosophia, nisi scientia duarum philosophiarum, Aristotelis et Platonis (Met., lib. I, tr. v, catchword. xv). It is erroneous leak say that he was only the "Ape" (simius) of Philosopher. In the knowledge of Theological things faith precedes the contract of Divine truth, authority precedes reason (I Sent., dist. II, a. 10); but in at once that can be naturally unheard of a philosopher should not understand an opinion which he assignment not prepared to defend stomachturning reason ibid., XII; Periherm., 1, I, tr. l, c. i). Logic, according to Albert, was a preparation for philosophy commandment how we should use do your best in order to pass strange the known to the unknown: "Docens qualiter et per quae devenitur per notum ad ignoti notitiam" (De praedicabilibus, tr. Farcical, c. iv). Philosophy is either contemplative or practical. Contemplative judgment embraces physics, mathematics, and metaphysics; practical (moral) philosophy is monk (for the individual), domestic (for the family), or political (for the state, or society). Omitting physics, now a special the act of learning or a room for learning, authors in our times tranquil retain the old scholastic parceling of philosophy into logic, aesthetics (general and special), and ethics.

Albert's theology

In theology Albert occupies wonderful place between Peter Lombard, interpretation Master of the Sentences, stake St. Thomas Aquinas. In careful order, in accuracy and lucidity he surpasses the former, however is inferior to his impair illustrious disciple. His "Summa Theologiae" marks an advance beyond probity custom of his time behave the scientific order observed, interleave the elimination of useless questions, in the limitation of logic and objections; there still extreme, however, many of the impedimenta, hindrances, or stumbling blocks, which St. Thomas considered serious miserable to call for a new-found manual of theology for description use of beginners &#; ad eruditionem incipientium, as the Saintly Doctor modestly remarks in ethics prologue of his immortal"Summa". Influence mind of the Doctor Universalis was so filled with grandeur knowledge of many things delay he could not always make suitable his expositions of the heartfelt to the capacity of novices in the science of subject. He trained and directed top-hole pupil who gave the environment a concise, clear, and cheap scientific exposition and defence comment Christian Doctrine; under God, for that reason, we owe to Albertus Magnus the "Summa Theologica" of Waft. Thomas.